Time for another Dram!
A Small Cask, No-Age-Statement Single Malt Scotch Whisky, best served neat.
A bit about
So far, from Oban Distillery, I had the pleasure of trying The Distillers Edition and the 12-Year-Old Special Release. I've also been lucky enough to visit Oban and take part in a tour of its beautiful distillery.
I highly recommend all of the above. Both the aforementioned whiskies are delicious drams, while the town of Oban and the distillery are highly worth a visit.
Since the Distillery has a gift shop, I am now on my way to reviewing the Oban Little Bay and soon, the Distillers Exclusive.
As a fun fact, Oban is Gaelic for 'Little Bay'
Oban Little Bay won Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2016.
Time to try it
Oban Little Bay
With 43% ABV, the first sip seems a bit harsh on the palate, but the harshness disappears soon after that.
Nose - Ripe fruit, apple slice, almonds and a general nutty scent with a hint of orange and toffee
Taste - Oily feel with a lot of fruitiness, especially orange peel
Finish - Very long, starting oily and slowly drying, with a hint of mint and a bit of bitter, tannin-like aftertaste towards the end.
Pros and Cons
I found it to be great for sipping neat. While adding a drop of water or even an ice cube opens up a bit more of the fresh fruit aromas and sweetness, it does take some of the oiliness away which I quite enjoyed.
It works great in an Old-Fashioned Cocktail.
In Conclusion
Priced at around £60 on most UK websites, it's a very interesting dram to sample, especially considering it's a NAS (no age statement).
It has a decent amount of character and flavours to offer.
I think it's better suited for the colder months, but I might just be biased as I'm reviewing this in December after it just snowed.
As always, please drink responsibly.
If you like this little review please click on the little heart below and if you've tried this whisky, I would love to hear what you think of it, in the comments below.
I hope life is treating you well.
Take care.