Oban 14 Year?

I love the stuff, one of my favorites. I need to go buy another bottle one of these days.

This is one of my favorites. It's not a critic's choice because it has a rather neutral pallet. I find the 'salty' taste perfect when I want something with more body then a blend but not overly fruity or peaty.

It was my first single malt whisky I bought about 2 years ago and still one of my favourites.

Yes, I tried it again for the first time (it had been a decade since I last sipped it) and I really liked it. A friend of mine also was quite wild about it. I posted a review at alcoholreviews.com/wp/ My wife is very fond of it, though at $50+ a bottle here in Wahsington, DC I am not so sure I want it to become the house Scotch!

Oban 14y is not a bad Whisky but in my opinion you can get better stuff for the same money.

I'm fairly new to the site, so I apologize in advance for resurrecting a discussion this old. I was at my local liquor store discussing which bottle to purchase this month with the gentleman I usually buy from and I brought this bottle up for discussion as I had tried it recently at a bar and really enjoyed it. He said the price doesn't really justify the drink, even though it is really good and that Clynelish 14 is similar and a better deal. So I bought the Clynelish and I would completely agree. It is a fantastic drink with very similar characteristics to Oban.

Sticking with the "big" company's brands, for a little bit more money the Talisker 1999 (2010) Distiller's Edition and the Dalwhinnie 1992 (2010) Distiller's Edition blow away the Oban 14. For a little less money Talisker 10 also betters its Oban cousin. The young contender (Kilkerran "Work in Progress") from the Glengyle Distillery in Campbeltown, though, really gives the rather bland Oban 14 a run for its money.

Thanks for all the feedback. So, in terms of finding something with an Oban 14 type profile (Talisker is awesome, but completely different!), are folks suggesting Dalwhinnie and Clynelish and... anything else?

Sometimes I like Oban 14, and sometimes I do not. Oban is certaintly a cut-above the many mild and uninteresting Speysides, but due to its price and mild character, I probably will not replace it. I do like tghe interesting and heartier Clynelish 14, another offering of the Diageo conglomerate, more than the Oban. And BTW, 50 USD is a very good price for Oban.

Your review briefly suggests why you like Oban: "... really hits the happy medium in Scotch whiskies. It is gentle yet very flavorful, offering notes of heather, salt, honey, and smoke." And so, you are looking for something like this, but cheaper ... but 50 USD is a low-to-average price for a decent malt ... so you are likely looking for a budget malt which is decent ... which will be difficult to find.

In the 40 to 70 USD range, some engaging non-smoky happy mediums might be Glenrothes, Glenmorangie, Bunnahabhain 12, Macallan 12, Auchentoshan 3-Wood and Glenfarclas 12. Note that some of these are, to a degree, sherry matured. Some happy medium somewhat smoky malts are Ardmore Traditional Cask, Springbank 10, Bruichladdich Rocks, Highland Park 12 and Jura Superstition. These are all more engaging and flavorful than Oban, but are not overwhelmed by smoke ... and, I am sure there are many more.

You may also want to try some engaging blends or vats, such as JW Green, JW Black, Famous Grouse and Ballentines 12. Please let us know what you try next ... :)