Oban

United Kingdom

All about Oban

The port of Oban lies in a perfectly sheltered harbour, acting as principle seaport for the surrounding isles. Its temperate climate makes it particularly hospital for a Western Highland locale. This beautiful paradox of brine, heather and peat is mirrored in Oban's fine single malt Whisky.

Oban issues a range of official bottlings which currently include a 14 year, a 14 year distiller's edition, an 18 year and the Little Bay single malt, which has no age statement . Previous releases include 12, 13, 20, 21 and 32 year expressions. The Oban 14 is easiest to find and stands as an exemplar of the West Highland style, winning gold at the 2016 San Francisco Spirits Compteition. It's been included in Diageo's ,"Classic Malt Series", since the series began in 1987.

Oban's flavour profile is rich with complex notions of land and sea. Sweet hay, salt spray and cool morning smoke swirl through the glass. While not perfect for everyone, if you enjoy this style Oban Whisky is some of the best you'll get.

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All about Oban distillery

The stalwart Oban Distillery stands as a frontier between the Highland and Island regions of Scotland. Soft winds from the gulfstream carry a little Atlantic charm into the fishing village that grew around the distillery.

Craggy and sublime, the port of Oban's lush character both contrasts and compliments a region known for its rugged, spartan beauty. Oban Distillery was founded on the site of an old brewery in 1794, by the Stevenson Brothers, John and Hugh, who ran production until 1820.

The facility changed hands several times through the 19th century, until suffering heavy losses as a result of the Pattison Crisis. Wherein one of Oban's major clients, the Pattison brothers, were convicted of fraud and embezzlement.

Oban soldiered on, and was purchased by the Oban Distillery Company, held in turn by Buchanan-Dewars. Scottish Malt Distillers was entrusted with operational oversight in 1930. After a major reconstruction in 1968, the distillery flourished, entering the 21rst century under the guidance of Diageo.

Oban falls in the, "small but mighty," category of distilleries. With only two stills, Oban is Diageo's second smallest producer, larger only than Royal Lochnagar. Water for the mash arrives from Loch Glenn a’Bhearraidh, in the Oban basin.

Oban's stills are short and lantern shaped, with large rounded lids. Their maltings now come from Diageo's central facility, and combine peated and unpeated varieties.

An on-site dunnage warehouse matures Oban seaside, in primarily white oak and Sherry casks, creating the subtle complexity now known as the West Highland style.

Distillery info