Oban 27 yo 1963 James MacArthur 56% vs Oban 32 yo 1969 / 2002 55.1%
Oban 27 yo 1963 James MacArthur 56%
My chequered experience with unique minis like this tells me they should be handled with caution as the risk of off notes seem to be far worse than with full bottles. Well, this one is first and foremost flawed, with stale vase water and wilting lilies. It is a sickly, musty nose that, if you get past, does unwillingly step aside for what is perhaps the true profile of roasted nut oils, burnt oat biscuits, salt laced air, bags of black charcoal and burnt wicks. Also evident are dirty garden implements, charred kitchen hobs and a cold fireplace. An alkaloidic bittergourd bite. The trick seems to be angling the nose in such a manner so as to avoid inhaling too deeply. 70 pts.
Oban 32 yo 1969 / 2002 55.1%
Handle with kid gloves, it is an unabashedly potent whisky with lots to unpack, and requires much time in the glass to find its voice. Bring a chair and whip. Eventually I find viscous almond and olive oil, candied peel, tinned yellow fruit and hemp rope. But also apparent, because this is a very layered whisky, are more phenolic notes of mulch layered earth, garden sheds, oily hurricane lamps, terpenes and sooty flecks, tiny touches of salt and brine. Great depth and endless development but somewhat cantankerous initially. 90 pts.
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