Bang for buck? | Oban Little Bay REVIEW

[@DJMJRyder]

Little Bay is the price as 14 here so I've never tried the LB. Glad to hear I'm not missing out. I'd love to try a sherried, higher abv oban, guess oban 12 CS at least delivers on the abv. I'll have to watch a review or two of the 12 first

[@Gwhisky]

The 12 cs is amazing. Huge fan.

[@Rohit_M]

An interesting review of an Oban Little Bay Geoff. I was intrigued by various reviews and recommendations on this NAS release so pulled the trigger on a bottle. Aside from trying the Oban 14, I have not had much interaction with Obans in general. I will be sure to check out the flavor profile as per your notes. Thanks Geoff!

[@Gwhisky]

I hope you enjoy it!

[@hamo4558]

Great review Geoff. I much prefer the Little Bay over the 14.

[@dairyyang5457]

Hah, that waving finger scene looks like a metronome in a horror movie.🤣 I didn't realize it's worm tube whisky when I tried the Oban 14yo, will pay attention on that next time trying Oban. Looking forward to the ranking video!

[@Gwhisky]

It's not a "big" whisky, but I'm convinced it does help somewhat with the mouthfeel and intensity. The 14 is definitely worth trying imo!

[@hbktryph]

Nice review and exactly what you said on price. Oban 14 is around $90 in Long Island, whereas I can get OLB for about $45 which is a no brainer. While I agree with the general notes on OLB I have just found that it goes so quickly when I have a bottle - I think because of the moreish chocolate and orange notes.

[@Gwhisky]

Agree! Really easy to drink with some great flavours! Cheers!

[@hansvaneenennaam457]

Again, a great review Geoff.

[@Gwhisky]

Thank you!

[@jeremytheoneofdestiny8691]

In my market this NAS bottle costs significantly more than Oban 14!

[@justinmaizeblue]

One would think batch variation could be more significant in NAS releases as one could be 6 years and the other 10 years. It could be 80% small cask, 20% traditional cask or the other way around. Just depending on supply. Which is of course why NAS whiskies are around.

[@allanwhittle3041]

Great review MrG 👍 Been down the Oban Rd on and off for 30 plus years but I do keep coming back for more And watching your reviews has re.kindled my interest and intend to crack in and try the 14 and Little bay again . Generally I like whiskies matured in Fino / Montilla casks but jumping through gun are you perhaps suggesting that the Oban/ Fino is such a great pairing ..( I’ll wait for your review 🤣👍)

[@Gwhisky]

Cheers Allan. Oban is one that hits me in waves. I'll be off it for a few years then "rediscover" it all over again. Good fun and a good whisky. I hope you enjoy your Little Bay!

[@STVG71]

Worm tubs! I know what they are :) The Craigellachie 13 mentions them on the bottle and being I liked the Oban 14 and the Craigellachie, I'll be giving this one a go especially since the Oban 14 is going for close to $80 and the Little Bay around $46 here. Thanks Geoff!

[@Gwhisky]

$46 is a fair price for this one, so it's definitely worth a shot. I hope you enjoy it!

[@welshtoro3256]

Excellent review Geoff. I was persuaded by your eloquent appraisal to perhaps give the Little Bay a go or even try the 14 once again. I too love that worm tub effect. However, BREAKING NEWS. The rumour of the impending price increase has just become a reality. Oban 14 now costs (all the retailers have done it) £70+ and Little Bay is £50+. It's the nail in the coffin. Stock up whilst you can my friend. WT

[@Gwhisky]

Yeah the prices I'm seeing Oban go for on the international retailers is way too high. I'll enjoy it while I can, but when the price increases make their way to Taiwan I'll be spending my money elsewhere. Cheers.

[@Dan-hn1lx]

The worm tubs are great but when you present a NAS at 43% you lose something from the lack of abv and chill filtering. Craigellachie is my fav work tub distillery.

[@Gwhisky]

Well said. Agree! 🥃

[@juanmlsanabria]

Actually i had the opportunity to get this bottle yesterday at Panama Airport duty free shop, but this one costs $110, the same price that Bowmore 18, obviously i went for the Bowmore. Instead i can get Oban 14 at $70 around here, i still can't figure out why the Little bay is way more expensive around here.

[@Gwhisky]

Hah! No way it's worth that much. It's a nice whisky, but it ain't Bowmore 18!

[@catnapgee5357]

If you ever have access to a Johnnie walker green while still with the little bay in your possession, do a side by side between the 2, and you'll be mind blown as to how identical they are with the only difference being JWG is more powerful (which might be a deal breaker either way depending on preference).

[@EuropaWill]

More powerful how? They are both the same ABV. JWG is a great product.

[@catnapgee5357]

@@EuropaWill I'm not speaking of power in terms of abv, but rather on the palate.

[@Gwhisky]

I don't have a JWG around at the moment, but sounds like an interesting experiment!

[@catnapgee5357]

@@Gwhisky I think you'll really appreciate it! Slainte!

[@alekseymel7852]

Costco has it 20$ off for 39.99. Not bad. 14 is 89$$$ locally

[@Gwhisky]

$39.99 is a great deal for this!

[@williamgullett8071]

I just bought one today at my Costco in Jacksonville for $39.99. I'm going back tomorrow and getting a couple more

[@GrotrianSeiler]

So good, such a great value for what it is, I could drink it everyday. Only $50US. Perfect!

[@Gwhisky]

Excellent value for that price! Enjoy!

[@williamgullett8071]

@@Gwhisky My Costco has it at 39.99.I just tried it and it's really good. I'm going back tomorrow and buying 3 more

[@catnapgee5357]

Foodquig had an interesting story with this one. He opened it (albeit .. some years ago) and he was very disappointed with it (as was i) but then he let it sit for months, and by the time it was about 1/3 full, it had opened up and was absolutely delicious. This Oban is almost .. alive in how it changes and is so fickle! But I guess that's interesting.

[@EuropaWill]

I've had a similar experience with Tomatin Dualchas. About a few months into the bottle being opened, it really started to transform pretty dramatically, as it lost all its initial bitter and ethanol sharp notes allowing more white fruit and tropical fruit notes to emerge. When I opened it I wouldn't have recommended it or bought another bottle. Now, after it has come into its own, I will likely replace the bottle when its finished.

[@catnapgee5357]

@@EuropaWill amazing what a little time and oxygen can do. Another one that really blossoms is (or was) Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 12.

[@fraserthistle4200]

I have a 1 litre bottle of this (bought at an airport) but I struggle to connect with it. Probably around half way down the bottle after 4 years. I go back to it intermittently hoping either I’ve changed or it’s changed and find neither have changed.

[@Gwhisky]

Could be a batch thing. I had a lesser bottle myself. Oppositely, it might just be a matter of taste!

[@davidowen2834]

Hi Geoff, a good review and interesting tasting notes. The little bay is not on my whisky to buy list, so I probably won’t buy it . Loads of other interesting (integrity) whiskies out there that I want to try. Cheers Geoff 👍.

[@Gwhisky]

Hey David. Totally fair! If I wasn't such a sucker for this specific house style I wouldn't be pulling the trigger myself. Cheers!

[@chefmarv6499]

It'd get a lots more love from me if 5-10$ cheaper and readily available. Unfortunately the SAQ here says demand for whisky is not very high so they only get sporadic batches of various whiskies and not a more steady supply.

[@Gwhisky]

I feel for you. When I go back to Montreal to visit family the choices (and prices) there are awful.

[@chefmarv6499]

​@@Gwhisky They say it's because there's not enough demand. Could be. The hardcore like us see interesting stuff come up online, order 2-3 bottles but the demand from the population in general is apparently not that good, so they don't have constant, steady supply, thus shitty prices.

[@eviltrain24]

It's unlikely I'll have a chance to buy a bottle in central California. My big box store sells the OLBay for $90, vs $75 for the Oban 14 (or the $62 when it was at Costco). on my scoring spreadsheet metric, the Oban 14 is still a buy at $85ish, but that's the upper boundary. Can't believe Little Bay is getting pushed so high. Seems out of whack to me.

[@Gwhisky]

Oof! That's crazy! I have no idea how or why market prices are so absurdly different in different parts of the world. I'd agree that USD $85 is pushing it for the 14, and there's no way I'd pay more for the Little Bay. I guess it makes the choice easy!

[@gordonhall9943]

Costco is selling this Little Bay. But as someone else already said, there are so many good choices for this price range. I think I'd skip. :P

[@Gwhisky]

Great deal! 🥃

[@PezrulezHaakon]

I've had my eyes on this and the 14yo, for some time, but here in Sweden the Little Bay comes in just under $57 USD, and the 14yo is just over $61. My problem is that they're in a price range where there's so many more options to choose from. These have always been pushed down my list. Thanks again for a good review 🤗

[@Gwhisky]

I understand. There are a lot of naturally presented well-priced alternatives. I'm a sucker for the house style, but it's not a whisky that everyone connects with.

[@scnullois]

LOL weird, the Little Bay is more rare and expensive than 14 year here in California!!

[@Gwhisky]

I've heard that from another viewer here. That's nuts. I have no idea how international pricing works, but the 14 is the better buy imo!

[@scnullois]

@@Gwhisky good to know. Will stick to the 14 then.

[@cookieMonsterSincho]

Loved it better then the 14yo

[@1asteger]

I think this review is important because above all else it highlights that there can be variations between batches, also sometimes our palates might be affected due to things like sinus/allergy issues or foods we've ate the day of trying a new whisky. In other words, we may have disliked a whisky for faults that were not of the whisky's doing. This why I am open to re-engaging with whiskies I didn't enjoy in the past. Except for Johnny Walker White Walker... f#*k that mess of a expression.

[@Gwhisky]

Thanks for watching Andrew! Yeah my tastes change, I tend to go through phases as well (I might favour sherried stuff, peated stuff, bourbon-matured stuff). Our mood, what we ate, even stuff like the seasons can affect the experience. Lol Johnnie Walker White Walker... I don't think I've ever heard anything good about that stuff!

[@welshtoro3256]

@@Gwhisky I'm a fan of a re-review. Not only do our tastes change but also our understanding about the whisky marketplace.

[@Gwhisky]

@@welshtoro3256 You're right! Another huge factor that can affect our enjoyment - VALUE!

[@kyletaylor13]

This bottle is about 45$ near me in the states, not worth it imo, has overtones of baby vomit….

[@Gwhisky]

Oof. I'm glad I didn't pick up on that note! I'd pay USD $45 for it personally, but it seems like I like it more than you. Could be a bad batch you got. As I mentioned, my second bottle of this stuff was pretty dull.

[@Nikolay_Nikolov]

Oddly enough in Bulgaria this one costs almost the same as the 14 yo - just little over 50 euros. For a Diageo castrated NAS malt it has to pack a hell of a "bang" to make me pay the "buck". Which I take the liberty to doubt... I'd taste a sample of it but paying the premium for a full bottle which I'm going to have to "process" for at least 8-9 months before freeing the "open bottle" slot ? My liver, my wallet and my time schedule have reached a perfect consensus on this one - absolutely not :) Cheers!

[@Gwhisky]

Fair enough! Yeah this is (rightly) priced below the 14 in my market, albeit not by much. I do think it's a quality dram, but I'm paying under €40 for it, which I think is fair. I wouldn't go much higher.

[@numanuma20]

Shame it’s colored. I like it a lot.