Oban The Soul Of Calypso 11 Year Old Scotch Whisky Special Release 2023
Oban The Soul Of Calypso 11 Year Old Scotch Whisky Special Release 2023 is an 11-year-old single malt at a cask-strength 58% ABV in a 750mL bottle, finished in Caribbean pot-still rum casks as part of Diageo's 2023 Special Releases ("Spirited Xchange"). Distilled on Scotland's west coast at Oban and bottled without chill-filtration or added colour, it pairs maritime malt with tropical rum-cask sweetness. Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 58.0% (116 proof), cask strength
- Size: 750mL
- Age: 11 years
- Origin: Oban Distillery, Highland (West Coast), Scotland
- Cask: finished in Caribbean pot-still rum casks; non chill-filtered, no artificial colouring
A Caribbean Voyage for a West Coast Malt: The Soul Of Calypso Story
Each year Diageo's Special Releases send its classic distilleries somewhere unexpected; for 2023's "Spirited Xchange," Oban sailed for the Caribbean. Eleven years of Highland maturation in oak were followed by a finishing voyage in pot-still rum casks, layering molasses-rich tropical fruit over Oban's signature sea-salt and citrus character. Bottled at full cask strength with nothing added and nothing taken away, it is a limited Scotch whisky release that earned 94 points from Distiller and 90 from Whisky Advocate.
Tasting Notes
The nose carries sea breeze, citrus, and tropical fruit over dry spice. The palate is oil-smooth — sweet and richly fruity with a lightly salty maritime thread — and the finish turns insistently spicy as the rum cask and cask-strength heat converge. A single malt for drinkers who like their Island-style whiskies with extra voltage.
How to Enjoy
At 58%, add water a few drops at a time — the sweet spot is usually around 50–52%. Neat in a Glencairn, or with a single large cube for a slower reveal. More limited Diageo releases live on the Oban vendor page and the wider whisky collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Oban Soul Of Calypso?
An 11-year-old Oban single malt from Diageo's 2023 Special Releases, finished in Caribbean pot-still rum casks and bottled at 58% cask strength.
Is the Soul Of Calypso chill-filtered?
No — it is bottled without chill-filtration and with no artificial colouring.
How long was it aged?
A minimum of 11 years in oak, followed by the rum-cask finishing period.
Collectors, take note: the Oban The Soul Of Calypso 11 Year Old Special Release 2023 is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.