ralfy review 822 Extras - All about Oban. 

I used to reverse an articulated lorry into Oban distillery. Loved the look on the tourists faces when I did it.

I've visited Oban a couple of years ago. The thing I remember most were the rather excellent oysters at the restaurant in the harbor. (Not as good as Loch Fyne though! But still very good.) Now as far as the distillery goes, it was the most "disneyland" tour of all the distilleries I've visited. And I visited about a dozen all over Scotland. Incidentally I enjoyed Glen Scotia the most! Such passionate people there, it was contagious.

Love these extras videos Ralfy! So addicted to your channel right now. The problem is justifying why I ‘need’ all these different whiskeys to the wife😬

I wouldn't say a were a huge Oban fan, but the Oban Little Bay was very good. I enjoy that one very much. The small cask does wonders for that young spirit and definitely presents as a mature young whisky.

I used to enjoy Oban in the eighties with the old bottle shape. Now it’s just ok. I really enjoy Tobbermory and Ledaig. Luckily we got to visit the distillery on Mull last September!

I toured Oban and Springbank a couple of weeks apart, what a difference! Oban was all computers and electronic detectors, Springbank , was all hands on with bits of string, lead weights etc but what a difference, everything done on site at Springbank, not sure there are any warehouses at Oban, probably all taken away for maturation in Fife 😀 Springbank do it right and have a far superior product.

1:16 Ledaig is great indeed! Certainly in times when single casks Ardbeg, Laphroaig or Bowmore are so expensive.

Little Bay is one of the best affordable "salty" malts. I like how it borders with the smoky category in its character. )

Glad to hear your thoughts on Little Bay as I share your opinion that it's better than the 14. In my area we've seen about a 50% price reduction on this bottle and can be found for about $35. Not bad!

I prefer Little Bay over Oban 14 as well - and now I have better insight as to why. Thanks Ralfy

The problem with tasting the whisky on location during the distillery tour (any distillery) is driving afterwards. Fortunately the tour guides provide - more often than not - a "Driver's Kit", so you can take your drams with you for tasting later. Never, ever drink and drive. Especially whisky given it's high alcohol volume. Cheers!

Not the first time I've heard that Little Bay is better than the 14 year. LOVE the Little Bay malt and I've had a few bottles of it since trying for the first time a few years back...... Nice Xtra review sir!

Nice one Ralfy, this topic got me thinking...a distillers edition bottling video would be interesting to see/hear!

Great stuff, always interesting to get some wider whisky context. Keep the Extras coming.

I'm a scotch newbie and enjoyed the Little Bay enough to buy a bottle. And just ordered a sampler pack of Lagavulin 16, Craggamore 12 and Talisker 10. Cheers!! 👍🥃

I couldn’t agree more with your opinion that the Oban Distillers Edition is nothing to consider. I was very disappointed with the Oban DE that I had purchased, especially compared to how great the Talisker DEs can be.

If you're ever in Oban get a scone with jam, you'll never regret it.

Always have at least 3 Ledaig in the cupboard. They did a few different cask types in the mid / late 90s. Moscatel, ollorosso, PX and I think one more. They bottles them at around 19 years old and all are very special -- especially the Moscatel cask

I visited Oban in the early 90's before leaving England, back then it was a very tasty whisky one of my favorites'

Have to share this. I was in visiting Wisconsin and stopped at a Total Wine & More. I found Oban Little Bay at $27.99! My eyes popped out like in the cartoons. I bought 2 cases. They have since fixed what must have been a pricing error. Have given away many of these to delighted friends and coworkers. Little Bay is better that the 14, I have to agree, but there is not much daylight between them. Did not care for the Distiller's Edition nor it's price. Wasn't bad, just not worth a second purchase.

Interesting that early today, Oban made a Facebook appearance and of course there were lots of positive comments . I happened to mention that it was ironic their post appeared 12 hours after Ralfy took them down a couple of notches. My post disappeared about 10 minutes later. Surprise Surprise!

Absolutely love Tobermory and Ledaig. Tobermory 10 has such a unique and lovely smell and taste.

Bought a bottle of Little Bay recently and was pleasantly surprised. I was fearing it would taste very young... but I would say it tastes as mature as at least an 8 or 10 year whisky from most brands. Wish they would disclose

Just had the Oban Destillers Edition 2019. Big surprise - really good and enjoyable. Not an integrity malt but still. Way better than the Oban 14 (which I never bought and just had in a bars when there wasn't a great selection...).

Really interesting Ralfy. Lots I didn't know about Oban before!

Thankyou for the review. I have been looking at adding a new whiskey to my collection. Was looking at these but they are not cheap in my area.

I went to Oban distillery. The shop didn't stock anything special and it was all overpriced so i didn't do the tour.

Ralfy, you are amazing. How do you manage to make two really interesting videos about one of the most boring single malts in Scotland? (Just my opinion). I believe Oban was the very first distillery tour I went on, back in 1992, I think? They get a lot of traffic because they are in the middle of the town but due to their location, they unfortunately have no way to expand. Hence, Oban has pretty well remained the way it was. They distill the spirit and Diageo come and tanker the stuff away to be casked in a central warehouse. It does have the reputation of being somewhat bland and uninteresting.

Hello Ralfy, Oban was one of the first my whiskies more than 10 years ago on my Whisky Journey and I need to say it was something different than Grant's or Johnnie Walker. Today's Oban maybe isn't this same as used to be, but in my opinion sometimes flashback of yesterdays you can find only with still this same today's botlings.. On other way that doesn't mean we should buy bad quality... Thank you for your knowledge and perspective. In Poland we have Mead (different types from different 'destilleries') in ceramic flask and this same version in regular bottle, and in my opinion these from ceramic are better, so there is something in this ceramic flasks... 🙂

Interesting to hear about the ceramic flask. As a tea enthusiast (but not a teetotaler!), it is common practice to use various unglazed clayware to add minerality to the tea liquor, with various clays having various effect on various teas. Interesting to think of how this might cross over to spirits. Sounds like Oban could benefit with a run through an yixing clay decanter!

Overall my experience with the Oban range has been underwhelming, however, the 1969 32-year release is still my favorite whisky of all time. Of course if you want to partake and don't currently own it you are looking at $1K+ on auction sites.

Hi Ralfy, I wish knowledge about whisky and the distillery were appreciated more commonly. Surely wasn't the case during my three men "The Ultimate Experience" tour at Auchentoshan's last autumn. Tour guide was to his credit knowledgeable and passionate about Auchentoshan, but when asked more detailed questions he brushed them off quickly, seemed annoyed and a tad provoked and continued his memorized monologue. Yeah... that's exactly what a small group of geeks want to hear during an extra-long 120 min. 'sample-straight-from-the-cask' tour...🤦‍♂️

Malty mathematic masters of monstrous malts!

Oban has become ridiculously high in price in my area for what it is. I agree that Little Bay is the more interesting bottle. Sadly it is only a few dollars difference now from the 14 year. It used to be a sub $50 bottle, but is now $70 with the 14 year now being $75-ish. Better choices at that price point, unfortunately for Oban.

I’m glad every time you make another video Ralf. That being said. Will you please consider making reviews for the new Glendronach 15. Also Glen moray 12. It surprised me and reminded me of Old Pulteney 12. Bounahabhain 12 re-review. Also curious if you’ll bother with Nas that are made with quality in mind, like Tamdhu cask strength batch 3 that I recently bought. Anyways, anything you choose to talk about is fine by me.

I have enjoyed this review and I am also enjoying reading your book: your visit to Bladnoch distillery is noteworthy.

There is still hope in the little bay then \o/

Thank you, Ralfy!

Yeah, I wish I could just buy an official Oban. Interesting out-of-the-way distillery. Very curious in that sense.

Ralfy, Another great extra! Agree with the standard tour statement you made, can be a waste of time if only chapter and verse as directed by the distillery but I did the Oban distillery visit last year on my way home from Tobermory and they added a tasting at the end of the tour straight from the barrel. It was lovely stuff an Oban 9yo single cask 51.8% a true distillery only, if only they would make these available.

Opening my recently acquired bottle of Little Bay this evening! Looking forward to it.

Subscribed, like your channel a lot. Fully agree. Keep up the real spirit of Scotch!

Informative, entertaining, and charismatic, as always!

Gotta love the Xtras!

Just ordered the book, hats off to ya Ralfy. A new fan in Canada. Thanks for all you do.. looking forward to the read. Inbetween Monkey Shoulder and Bowmore 12 at the moment.

None of the old school warehousemen even bothered about Oban, never considered for a dram.

Been to OBAN a couple of times....If I'm not mistaken, it was my very first taste of whisky. Full stop.

great video it was really entertaining

Hi Ralfy, I have to say, your reviews have taught me more about whisky in the last few days than I have learned in the past year! lol. I currently have a bottle of Lagavulin 16, which I love (not much left). Would you recommend investing (to drink) in the distillers edition? I have found a 2001 distilled & 2017 bottled online. Keep up the good work fella! John.

Any danger of a Ballantine ‘very old’ review. I know it’s a blend, but would love to know your thoughts Cheers

Comrade Ralfy, speaking of packaging, bottling and containers, don't you think that it is the very moment for whisky industry to get rid of cork caps? Firstly global cork stocks are steadily declining due to increased demand. That usage is not environmental friendly at all. Secondly, cork is not the most suitable material for sealing high percentage spirits. Especially those caps made from glued particals. The whole piece ones are better but they are expensive and their usage contributes even more to cork deficiency. I think that silicone is a very good decision. It is chemically neutral, flexible, everlasting, neither absorbs nor releases smells. So neutral that body imlants are made of it. And most important - it is cheap and unlimited in quantity. Therefore i think that you should use your position of an influencer and sneak here and there that it is time to initiate the process of replacing the cork with silicone.

Was that something "fermenting" at 1:38? 🤔

Maybe...Malty Marsian Music Ministers? (If you use that malt mention you can call me Chris from Bremen, Germany ;))

Are you going to do another video giving a peek at your collection again?

I love Oban.

LOL the 14 did start showing up in Makro wholesale supermarket for near a tenner less than MoM online! I usually avoid NAS btl'ings but this review has peeked my interest & my local Tesco stocks it so on the bucket list it go's :) Ralfy have you reviewed Toby 12 yet to compare it to the old 10? Ledaig 10 is my go to peated

Does the flavor yield correlate to changes in the production process/equipment from the 80's to now?

Cheers Ralfy, Another great review. Did you try Oban Game of Throne Edition?

Ralfy, my scotch Society, the Alberta Scotch Society has a book club in which we will be reading your book. We’ll be reviewing it in late May. Maybe you can catch one of our RU-vid broadcasts? It would be an honour!

Excellent video, as always Ralfy. The sad thing about the 14j Oban is that for years it was one of the more consistent malts (in terms of quality and maturation) from the "classic malts collection" besides Talisker 10j. A friend of mine opened a fresh bottle not long ago and I was surprised how "youngish" and not very refinded it came across. Sure, it is still good whisky but not as good and mature as it used to be. By the way what do you think about the plans from Diageo to reopen Port Ellen, Brora and Rosebank? This would be a fun topic for a video, I think. I just bought your book, can't wait to read it :-) Keep up the good work. Greetings from Switzerland. Andy

I've seen more Independent Bottlings in the States but the cheapest one has been $200.

Hey hi I Like this oban 14 years very much I Enjoyed it.. Anyways It's all About individual taste..

What whiskey can beat Hennesy VS, VSOP or XO. The nose, the palate and the finish...what whiskey can compare?

Ralfy is it just me or does your Glencarin look bigger on camera (no pun intended)??? It looks wider than the ones I purchased?

I'm struggling to get hold of the Tobermory 10 these days. It was phased out in favour of the 12. I've tried both and still prefer the 10.

For that malt mention!

Long time Malt Mate here, just wondering if you could review certain issues regarding our beloved industry..What are your thoughts on the high prices of whiskey in todays world? Also the NAS bottlings? I know who have reiterated about these issues in the past Ralfy, just curious. Thanks from Arizona USA!

Have you tried oban 18? I've seen it in my area but there isn't a lot I've seen about it

I believe that's a non-chill filtered, no caramel additives, limited edition youtube button on the shelf, back there ...

Never seen a bad one of these yet!

Hi Ralfy Having been on a few tours can you recommend any longer tours you have been on. I really enjoyed Balvenie.

Hey Ralfy, Just curious as you mentioned awhile ago that you may be reviewing some NAS whiskies, any chance that Oban little bay will be the first?

There is also a 21 Year old Oban from the Distillery Itself but it is stupidly expensive. Still i would like to know how it is 🤔

Ralfy, i'm sorry this isn't about Oban at all, but i saw quite a discount on Antiquary 21yo today and i was wondering if i should take the plunge! The bottle would come in at around 65

I don't know if the 'Little bay' is the same whisky as the 'Game of thrones Oban Bay Reserve' but that particular expression was better than the 14 as well.

Last time I've tasted Laphroaig and Oban was late 90s - early 2000s :(

2:18 Nice pun

Anybody know if Tobermory and Ledaig (peated through Port Ellen) are using Mullish barley?

Ralphy, Is there any particular wisdom to be had about planning a night of 3 scotches?

Hey Ralfy. If the current 14 tastes young, have you tried the 18 yet and, if so, thoughts? I have an Oban 18 available at a local store, but am now far from sure I want to pay the 18 price.

I wish we had more independent bottler editions in Canada, unfortunately the lcbo doesn’t have them and scotch is quite expensive here. (Tobermory is 100 bucks!) I was thinking of picking up a bottle of aultmore, it’s 70 bucks but I think it’s a decent deal considering it’s an integrity whisky. I’m an intermediate whisky drinker, what would you recommend I pick up Ralphy, a bottle of Ledaig 10 or aultmore? (Same price)

Hello Ralfy. Could ya please gimme some tip on "what's better-modern Talisker 10yo or Oban 14 yo (both on sale) in terms of the lesser of two evils , so to speak)))

Cheers

Is it possible our taste buds change as we get older which can change the experience?

I do not like that they add coloring to it.

cheers ralfy, ever tried some german whisky, like slyrs 12 for example?

Is it a sword in the background leaning on the wall?

The Oban 14 I bought for this past holiday season is sugary and has very very little smoke (almost none) as compared to the bottle I had from Dec 2020, and previous years. Also has slightly less flavor overall as if it has been watered down some. Bad bottle maybe, but I wouldn't know. Definitely not worth the approximate $70 USD I paid. Matter of fact all 6 of the 12ish yo single malts I bought recently, beyond the imparted flavor differences of the casks used, are just a bunch of overpriced sugar 💣 Ya I know, the world loves their sweets, but sugar/underdistilling, or whatever causes a dram to taste sweet aside from other flavors from the cask, is cheap. I was fooled at first over these past holidays because I wanted to like all my scotches so much, but after tasting for the last couple weeks, I know what is going on. Be all end all, the quality will only be found in the very expensive stuff is my bet; yes never have had a very expensive scotch, but I'd bet I'm correct.

Hello Ralfy! What happened to the digital format of your book? I am writing from Brazil and want to buy your ebook because we do not have paperback yet. Is it going to be available again?

👍❤️🥃

Oban is very frustrating to me. It was much more interesting 20 years ago.

What is that sound 1-38 sec. Farth??

Isn't the colour too deep?

What do you think of the 18 year old?

I didn't like the Little Bay at all even at the price they put on it everywhere around here of $39us. Why did you even buy it if you refuse to review NAS?

I don't believe he checks the comments

First