Company: Diageo
Distillery: Oban Distillery
Region: Oban, Scotland
Aging: No Age Statement
ABV: 43% ABV
Proof: 86 Proof
Mash Bill: 100% Single Malt
Non-Chill Filtered: No
MSRP Price: $70
A History of Little Bay
From the box label:
Little Things mean a lot here at Oban, since 1794 one of Scotland’s oldest, slowest, and smallest distilleries. Our small stills, which need to be rested between batches give more copper contact to help create our rich flavour.
The proud town of Oban, Gaelic for “Little Bay”, grew up around our distillery holding it between cliff and coast, and keeping us true to our small distillery roots. Such little things make Oban a smooth single malt of fruity richness.
Oban Little Bay takes mature small batch Oban Single Malt and gives it extra time in small oak casks, to yield yet more deep smoothness and richness of flavour. It’s a little thing, but it means a lot to us.
Oban Little Bay Tasting Notes
Appearance: Dark Honey
Nose: Sweet brown sugar, caramel, candied fruits, raisin, plum, apricot, citrus zest, cinnamon, vanilla, light oak, chocolate-covered cherry, raisinets
Palate: Rich raisin and dark fruit flavors, plum, dark cherry, chocolate-covered raisins, cinnamon spice, oak, vanilla, clove, anise seed
Finish: Medium smooth finish with a little bit of spice on the end – leaves you with rich dark fruits, spice, and lingering pepper on the tail end
Is Oban Little Bay an Approachable Whisky?
Oban Little Bay isn’t quite as approachable as its big brother – Oban 14 Year.
It is a very smooth pour though and is a whisky that almost anyone would enjoy.
Beginners will appreciate the sweet and fruity flavors on this one.
Is Oban Little Bay Complex?
Oban Little Bay has quite a few layers of complexity.
The nose is lovely with rich fruit notes with sweet candied brown sugar and caramel, vanilla, and oak.
The palate has the traditional Oban dark fruit and citrus flavor profile that makes it so popular.
This whisky is aged a little longer in oak casks and you can certainly tell in its flavor.
It has a heavier oak profile than Oban 14 Year which makes it a little spicier and also adds a little tannic and oak layer to the flavor.
This affects the mouthfeel by adding a little more heat and leaving you with a bit more of a spicy pepper note on the tail end that lingers for quite a while.
What are Oban Little Bay’s strongest attributes/flavors?
Oban Little Bay’s strongest attributes are its rich fruit and sweet brown sugar flavors.
Is Oban Little Bay a go-to whisky?
Oban Little Bay is a pretty tasty whisky, but I would personally always go with the Oban 14 Year over this pour.
While Oban Little Bay is about $25 cheaper, I just appreciate the flavors and finish on Oban 14 Year and would drink that as my go-to Highland Coast Malt Whisky.
Is Oban Little Bay priced accurately to its quality?
Oban Little Bay is a cheaper option than the Oban 14 Year.
I would always pay the extra $25 for the Oban 14 Year, but if you’re looking to save a little money, Oban Little Bay is on par with many of the competitors in the same price range.
Conclusion for Oban Little Bay
While I could easily drink Oban Little Bay and enjoy every sip of it, there’s just something about the Oban 14 Year that draws me to it.
I don’t think I would purchase Oban Little Bay again, but Oban 14 Year is a bottle I will always have on my shelf.
So I recommend springing the extra bit of cash and purchasing Oban 14 Year which is one of my favorite go-to refreshing Scotch Whiskeys.
Let Us Know What You Think
I hope you enjoyed this tasting experience with me.
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Thanks for reading and cheers!
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