Oban, Little Bay, Single Malt Scotch Whisky

700 ml, 43.0% abv, Scotland (Highland)

Oban Little Bay is labeled as ‘small cask’, this non-age statement release takes mature small batch Oban single malt, and gives it time in 200-litre ex-bourbon barrels. This has resulted in a rich whisky with notes of stone fruit, spice and honey.

“Dark amber in color, Oban Little Bay has a rich and vibrant malty nose with dried apple, dried plums, caramel, honey, allspice, and oak. There’s a solid balance between the rich and spicy characteristics. The entry is very flavorful and expressive, matching the nose quite well with toasted malt, green apple, dried apricot, salt, chocolate, and orange peel. In the midpalate the real impact of the small cask finish is quite apparent as the spice elements noticeably increase with clove and oak without abandoning the sweet dried fruit underneath. After the peak of the midpalate, Oban Little Bay backs off quite a bit for a lightly acidic and slightly spicy finish. It’s a fairly light and slightly dry finish that ends fairly clean”

“Little Bay’s warming richness is neatly balanced by a smoky spicy-dryness”