Oban The Soul of Calypso 11 Year Special Release 2023 Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 750ml

Oban "The Soul of Calypso" is the 11 Year cask strength expression in the highly collected Diageo Special Releases 2023 "Spirited Xchange" collection, the seventh appearance for the historic Oban Distillery in the annual Special Releases series and a genuine distillery first as the first ever Oban released with a Caribbean Pot Still Rum cask finish. Founded in 1794 by the Stevenson brothers (predating the town of Oban itself, which literally grew up around the distillery), Oban remains one of Scotland's oldest and smallest working distilleries, the second smallest in the Diageo portfolio yet the second most visited and the fifth best selling single malt brand in the world, with all of its tiny production destined entirely for single malt bottling. Master Blender Dr. Stuart Morrison hand selected 11 year old Oban for this release and finished it in Caribbean Pot Still Rum casks, with the vibrant Calypso themed tropical packaging illustrated by artist Kim Thompson, whose retro nostalgic and Afrofuturist visual style anchors the entire "Spirited Xchange" 2023 collection. The result is an Oban unlike any other in the distillery's long history: bottled at a robust natural cask strength of 58% ABV, the rum cask finishing layers unexpected sugar cane, mango, pineapple, and tropical fruit character over the distillery's unmistakable Highland Island fusion of sea breeze, seaweed, gentle iodine, and citrus saltiness. Released in limited quantities in the US beginning October 2023, and now a discrete one off vintage that will never be repeated. Rated 90 points by Whisky Advocate.

ABV / Proof

Tasting Notes

Color: Delicate pale gold to pale straw, remarkably translucent and bright in the glass, one of the palest Obans ever bottled.

Nose: Fresh and faintly maritime, with sea breeze, seaweed, warm dunes, gentle iodine, lemon citrus, sweet cocoa, brulee banana, mango, sugar cane, dried mango, gingerbread, spiced apple chutney, chocolate ice cream, Himalayan salt bricks, ground pepper, grapefruit peel, herbal notes, and a hint of dairy toffee.

Palate: Exceptionally smooth oily mouthfeel with sweet tropical fruit (mango, papaya, lychee), pineapple juice, sugar cane juice, salted caramel, lemon bonbons, rich toffee, vanilla, candied orange, cinnamon scrolls, orange chewy sweets, and a fruity citrus sweet lightly salty balance.

Finish: Medium length and spicy, with persistent never overpowering spiciness, lingering tropical fruit, baking spice, caramel, mouth cooling smoothness, and a light sweet aftertaste that fades slowly.

FAQ

What makes Oban Distillery special? Founded in 1794 by the Stevenson brothers, Oban Distillery is one of Scotland's oldest and smallest working distilleries, located on the harbor in the town of Oban (the distillery predates the town, which grew up around it). Oban is the second smallest distillery in the entire Diageo portfolio but the second most visited and the fifth best selling single malt brand worldwide. The distillery is hemmed in by the town with no room to expand, so its tiny annual production is entirely destined for single malt bottling, never for blends.

Why Caribbean rum casks? Master Blender Dr. Stuart Morrison chose Caribbean Pot Still Rum casks for this expression to celebrate the rhythms and spirit of Calypso music, which traces back to the carnival cultures of Trinidad and the wider Caribbean. The casks contribute unexpected tropical notes (sugar cane, mango, pineapple) that complement Oban's natural Highland Island fusion character. This is a distillery first expression and the first time Oban has ever been released with a rum cask finish in its 230 year history.

What is "Spirited Xchange"? "Spirited Xchange" was the overarching theme of the 2023 Diageo Special Releases collection, celebrating the journey of Scotch whisky as it has crossed countries and cultures around the world. The 2023 collection featured eight whiskies, each themed around a different global cultural exchange and each featuring distinctive bottle art commissioned from eight different illustrators. The Oban Soul of Calypso art was created by Kim Thompson, whose work is influenced by retro nostalgia and Afrofuturism.

How rare is this 2023 release? Strictly limited annual vintage. The Diageo Special Releases 2023 collection was unveiled in autumn 2023 with a finite global allocation, and US shipments arrived in October 2023 at an original SRP around $140 USD. Each year's Oban Special Release is a discrete one off, never repeated in the same form. The 2023 vintage has steadily appreciated on the secondary market, with sealed bottles in the original Calypso themed presentation tube increasingly scarce.

Where can I buy Oban Soul of Calypso 2023 online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.