Oban 18, LE

[Ganga]

I found this at one of my locals on the way home. As Oban has not been a favorite I was hesitant to buy this one. It is limited; forget the actual number of bottles. So some questions are in order.

1. Does anyone know if this is a US only release?
2. Any notes on what the darn thing tastes like?

All comments welcome as I am considering getting this at a later date.

[les taylor]

Ganga for question 1

Would the size of the bottle give a clue if it was for the US market only.

[Gilles Deleuze]

Ganga, here's a link to the Malt Advocate review that also contains a little info about the Oban 18. Apparently only 7,700 bottles available, only in the US.
http://blog.maltadvocate.com/2008/08/14/review-oban-18-year-old/

[Ganga]

Thank you for the ling Gilles. So that not everyone has to go look. According to Hansell, it is US and Distillery only. Limited to 7700 bottles. Apparently it is a step up over the standard 14.

Description sounds quite interesting.

[Alzarius]

Looks like another batch of this was released in the US recently, as another limited series. Anyone with reviews on this new batch, or for Oban 18 in general? If the price is right, I may pick one up

[pkt77242]

Looks like another batch of this was released in the US recently, as another limited series. Anyone with reviews on this new batch, or for Oban 18 in general? If the price is right, I may pick one up

Try PMing Lockejn, as I think he has a bottle.

[lockejn]

Looks like another batch of this was released in the US recently, as another limited series. Anyone with reviews on this new batch, or for Oban 18 in general? If the price is right, I may pick one up

Try PMing Lockejn, as I think he has a bottle.

I picked up two, actually, as the price was so right - $65 each. At that price I'd keep two on hand at all times. At Binny's regular price closer to $140 I considered long and hard about buying one to try, but I wouldn't buy more than one.

I'm sure I posted some notes in the "what are you drinking now" thread, but it would have been a couple months ago probably. If I get a chance to enjoy it properly in the next few days I'll put some more here.

Full disclosure: I may be slightly impartial as you might glean from my avatar. . .

[MacDeffe]

Would the size of the bottle give a clue if it was for the US market only.

Isn't all US bottles size 75cl ?

Steffen

[lockejn]

Would the size of the bottle give a clue if it was for the US market only.

Isn't all US bottles size 75cl ?

Steffen

We occasionally get 1L bottles, but I believe 700ml is out. Regardless, unless you can only find it in 1L sizes (which may indicate bottling for multiple international markets), bottle size doesn't tell you much. Just about everything comes in as 750ml, exclusive or not.

[corbuso]

I published some tasting notes about the Oban 18 some time ago (http://www.whisky-news.com/En/tasting15.html#14Jan10)
This was a bottling exclusive for the US (750 ml) and I paid $160 for 1 bottle last year in Washington DC. It was mentioned as US and distillery only, but I haven't seen any last time I visited the distillery.

In the meantime, a cask strength expression has been released exclusively for the distillery. Other than that, no other special releases have been launched since then.

[lockejn]

...
In the meantime, a cask strength expression has been released exclusively for the distillery. Other than that, no other special releases have been launched since then.

Yes, a new release was made to the US this summer. Quite limited, though, as I understand. The two bottles I purchased were stamped L11.

[pkt77242]

Looks like another batch of this was released in the US recently, as another limited series. Anyone with reviews on this new batch, or for Oban 18 in general? If the price is right, I may pick one up

Try PMing Lockejn, as I think he has a bottle.

I picked up two, actually, as the price was so right - $65 each. At that price I'd keep two on hand at all times. At Binny's regular price closer to $140 I considered long and hard about buying one to try, but I wouldn't buy more than one.

I'm sure I posted some notes in the "what are you drinking now" thread, but it would have been a couple months ago probably. If I get a chance to enjoy it properly in the next few days I'll put some more here.

Full disclosure: I may be slightly impartial as you might glean from my avatar. . .

I read that as slightly impaired.

[lockejn]

And really I misspoke (-typed). I'm NOT very impartial, given my overt appreciation for the distillery. . .

[corbuso]

Yes, a new release was made to the US this summer. Quite limited, though, as I understand. The two bottles I purchased were stamped L11.

Interesting. It seems like the new release is still a 18 YO 92 Proof but with a different label. Is this correct?

[lockejn]

Yes, a new release was made to the US this summer. Quite limited, though, as I understand. The two bottles I purchased were stamped L11.

Interesting. It seems like the new release is still a 18 YO 92 Proof but with a different label. Is this correct?

Well, I haven't seen the old label in person, so I can't confirm that first hand, but it looks different from pictures I've seen. And I believe it's actually 86P like the 14y (and the previous 18y), but I'll have to check when I'm at home. It does seem some online retailers still have stock, but I wouldn't expect it to last much longer.

[Ganga]

The first bottling had bottle numbers for them. The new bottles don't seem to have the numbers.

[lockejn]

Confirmed: 43% and not individually numbered.

And the label is a blue-ish color rather than white or off-white as the previous edition appears to have been.

[DVSDelicious]

I picked up two, actually, as the price was so right - $65 each. At that price I'd keep two on hand at all times. At Binny's regular price closer to $140 I considered long and hard about buying one to try, but I wouldn't buy more than one.

So, lockejn, may I ask where you were able to find it for $65 a bottle? I found it for $89.99 today and thought I had discovered the new world, but...$65?!? That's amazing.

[Ganga]

I picked up two, actually, as the price was so right - $65 each. At that price I'd keep two on hand at all times. At Binny's regular price closer to $140 I considered long and hard about buying one to try, but I wouldn't buy more than one.

So, lockejn, may I ask where you were able to find it for $65 a bottle? I found it for $89.99 today and thought I had discovered the new world, but...$65?!? That's amazing.

It sells for between 80 and 100 in California.

[pkt77242]

I picked up two, actually, as the price was so right - $65 each. At that price I'd keep two on hand at all times. At Binny's regular price closer to $140 I considered long and hard about buying one to try, but I wouldn't buy more than one.

So, lockejn, may I ask where you were able to find it for $65 a bottle? I found it for $89.99 today and thought I had discovered the new world, but...$65?!? That's amazing.

It sells for between 80 and 100 in California.

$120 here in AZ

[eol]

$120 is the cheapest I have seen in CA... some places up to 150

[Ganga]

eol:

I know Wine & Liquor Depot is under $90. K&L is currently $100. $90 at Hi-Time Wine Cellars.

[lockejn]

I picked up two, actually, as the price was so right - $65 each. At that price I'd keep two on hand at all times. At Binny's regular price closer to $140 I considered long and hard about buying one to try, but I wouldn't buy more than one.

So, lockejn, may I ask where you were able to find it for $65 a bottle? I found it for $89.99 today and thought I had discovered the new world, but...$65?!? That's amazing.

New Hampshire State Liquor Commission. They bought 12 cases I think as a "one-time buy". As is often the case with these sorts of special, limited runs they really don't know (or frankly care) what they have, as long as they cover their cost and make a suitable markup.

This is one of the few advantages of the state having a monopoly on spirit sales. Unfortunately, these sorts of opportunities are few and far between. Other than the annual BTAC, we get very few new or limited release products - one of the many disadvantages.