Oban 21 Year Old Special Release 1996 (2018) is a limited-edition Highland single malt Scotch whisky distilled in 1996 at the Oban Distillery and bottled in 2018 as part of the Diageo Special Releases series. It is a relatively rare expression designed to highlight the distillery’s coastal character at high strength. General profile Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky Region: Western Highlands, Scotland Distillation year: 1996 Age: 21 years Bottling year: 2018 ABV: ~57.9% (cask strength) Cask type: Refill European oak butts Style: Maritime Highland malt with light smoke and strong spice Production: Limited release (exact bottle count not publicly disclosed) Refill European oak casks give less sherry influence, allowing the distillery character (coastal, salty, citrusy) to dominate the whisky. Tasting description Nose (aroma) Sea breeze / maritime salt Warm sand and dry seagrass Honey and lemon zest Fruit cake and citrus Light peat smoke and menthol notes Subtle wood spice and toasted oak Palate (taste) Creamy and oily mouthfeel Citrus fruits (orange, lemon) Tropical fruit hints (pineapple, mango) Cocoa, roasted coconut, and hazelnut Peppery spice with herbal touches Light sweetness balanced by dry oak Finish Long and warming Spicy oak and cloves Black tea and cedar Lingering citrus and maritime salt Style characteristics This bottling emphasizes classic Oban DNA: Coastal saltiness Gentle Highland fruitiness Subtle peat smoke Peppery oak spice Compared with heavily sherried malts, it is drier and more mineral, highlighting the distillery spirit itself.