Oban - Little Bay 14 Year (750ml)
Price: $72.99
| Producer | Oban |
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| Country | Scotland |
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| Region | Highland |
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| Style | Single Malt Scotch |
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| Sku | 30030 |
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| Size | 750ml |
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Oban is a resort town located in northwest Scotland that even during tourist season has a population that rarely exceeds 25,000. However, it not tourism for which it is best known. There is evidence that humans have inhabited the region since mesolithic (10,000 - 5,000 BCE) and initially lived in caves just outside of the current town. However, for most of Oban's history there had been only a small quarry and minor fishing operations to sustain the economy. Then in 1794 a distillery was founded. The maritime climate with "cool summers and mild winters" was ideal for growing barley (the only grain permitted in single malt scotch). Oban (the distillery), currently owned by spirits giant Diageo, "has only two pot stills, making it one of the smallest in Scotland". Originally founded by brothers John and Hugh Stevenson, and managed by them until 1866, the operation eventually went through two periods of dormancy (1931-37 and 1969-72). Diageo has built both the facility and brand, and they now produce just 180,000 gallons of scotch each year. On the other hand, Diageo was "formed in 1997 from the merger of Guinness and Grand Metropolitan"; is headquartered in London (with U.S. managed from Norwalk, Ct.; and is noted as "the world's largest producer of spirits". The companies literature says that they "produce more than 6.5 billion litres of our brands, from more than 100 sites in 30 countries".
Oban Description
On the nose, as mentioned above, aromatics are dominated by fruits: dried figs, baked apple, green apple, along with a hint of salt and a chocolate/wood note. On the palate, the whisky enters lightly sweet, but lands on the midpalate with herbaceous notes of basil, mint and salt. Medium to heavy bodied, it's round and chewy, with fairly big tannins and acids. It finishes clean with notes of mint, candied orange, almond and plum, with a short to medium finish that ends dry. It's not an overly complex product, but neither is it flabby. Adding water opens up smoke and earth notes both on the nose and palate, but doesn't enhance the whisky. This should be consumed neat." "It is a pleasing, full-bodied whisky that is easily approached, yet provides some intrigue to the drinker. Oban will not be disappointed with this permanent addition to the portfolio. examiner.com
