Bergkampgunner
Oban Bay Reserve (Game of Thrones-The Night's Watch)
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed
May 30, 2020 (edited November 4, 2020)
Based on some reviews here and elsewhere I poured this took a quick sip and then let it sit for 30 minutes. It smelled and tasted completely different (all in a good way) after the time in the glass so I’m reviewing it based on that and you should consider drinking it that way if you ask me. At least the neck pour 🤷♂️. This is in a rocks glass. I’ll be pouring into a glencairn as soon as I can and will update if necessary.
That long winded nonsense being said, my review will be pretty short. The nose is all citrus. It’s quite wonderful actually. Just based on that I’d probably be closer to a 4.5. The palate has an enormous salt note. I did my research and was prepared for it but it’s still a bit shocking. I’m told that’s normal for Oban but I have more experience with Lagavulin and Talisker from Diageo than I do with Oban. The citrus is still there too. I wish it was more prominent than the salt but it’s not. There’s also some sherry instilled berry notes but, again, more background to the saltiness. The finish is surprisingly long and I appreciate that.
For an NAS with a ridiculous focus on packaging (black bottle, black tube, GoT Night’s Watch mantra on the front of the label etc.) I was worried this was going to be trash. It’s not. It’s not awesome but I like it. I’d definitely go with the Talisker or Lagavulin GOT bottle if you only want one. I bet with a sweet dessert the salty aspect would feel savory (like bacon on a donut). I’ll have to try that. On its own I’d drink it. I’m glad I have a bottle. But I wish I paid retail NOW compared to when it came out.
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@LeeEvolved did you notice any difference in the GoT Lagavulin from when it first came out to now? They came out with several batches.
@Bergkampgunner - I was able to pick up 3 bottles of the latest, single malt GoT’s release, last fall: Mortlach 15 (Six Kingdoms). I opened one bottle immediately and while I thought it was a solid dram, I don’t feel it was worth $130. I’ve drank the Lagavulin, and again, I felt it was a little underwhelming- I think I prefer the Lagavulin 8 from a couple of years ago. I think it’s time to just set 9 Glencairns out and pour an ounce of each and just follow the map down from the Wall to what remains of Kings Landing. Or should I read a few reviews and save the worst one for last and end the whisky tasting in a similar fashion to the show? I mean, I’ll probably be wasted by the end so ending my night in a train wreck would be fitting...
@LeeEvolved Yeah. I’d love to see what you think of the set. I’ve decided to buy quite a few bottles after reading your reviews. There aren’t many that are tough to find anymore. I got this, the Lagavulin and the Talisker when they came out. I now have the whole set (just cuz I’m a nerd for the show and figured expanding my whisk(e)y horizons in the name of collecting something wouldn’t be a bad way to introduce myself to a few distilleries). I went in a store last week and saw five of these on the shelf so I decided it was time to try it. If it blew me away I could get more at a reasonable price. If not the pandemic has me appreciating the idea of popping some bottles and enjoying the calm during the storm. Cheers everyone!
@LeeEvolved I had all three of them. I didn’t like the Little Bay (too shallow and uninspiring), the 14y was proper and the Night’s Watch I liked the most. I had both the 14y and Nights Watch yesterday for comparison and while the 14 is more intense and rich there was a palate combination in there that I just didn’t like. (Reminded me of a metallic heated stove). The Nights Watch is as mentioned above more on the lighter side but with some time to develop it form a really likeable dram for me where the aroma and flavor combination are actually really good.
I’ve been interested in trying this bottle since they first came out, as I hoped it was a near clone of Little Bay (which I thought was solid). Now that these GoT bottles are a dime a dozen I suppose there’s no reason to horde multiple sets for posterity. Guess I should work my way through whisky Westeros. Great review, cheers.