In the 20 th century, Oban endured two different episodes of mothballing: once from 1931 to 1937, and again from 1969 to 1972. Eventually, it made its way (as so many whisky distilleries seem to do) into the Diageo portfolio, where it remains to this day, honored with a position as one of the six Classic Malts alongside Dalwhinnie, Talisker, Cragganmore, Lagavulin, and Glenkinchie. The Oban facility is relatively small — just over 46,000 square feet — and all of its spirits come off two stills — one beer still and one spirit still. And the entire plant is operated by a production crew of only seven people. Their small capacity helps explain Oban’s small volume and availability on the international marketplace. Oban’s proximity to the ocean gives the final spirit a minerality that works overtime to add complexity to the light and fruity new make off the still.

Both Oban 14 and the Macallan 12 are Age Statement Whiskies — meaning the number of years printed on the label is legally required to reflect the youngest casks in any particular batch. Oban’s small, onion-shaped, slow-running stills give the spirit a sulphury character and viscous mouthfeel. But to keep the flavor light, the distillers take breaks between runs to open the doors and expose the inside of the pot to oxygen — which helps rejuvenate the copper. The Macallan has 24 stills housed under sloping turf-domed roofs alternately said to resemble the rolling Scottish countryside, the ancient Scottish ‘Broch’ or roundhouse or the opening scene from the children’s television show ‘Teletubbies.’Oban in Scots Gaelic means’ little bay’ and describes the distillery’s location near the shore of Sound of Kerrera on the coast of the Hebrides. At the plant’s founding in 1793, the town of Oban had not yet been founded. In its early days, the location worked as a brewery, producing ale for inhabitants of the newly laid town. After a few years, the first distillations were recorded. When comparing products with identical ingredients, the techniques utilized during the malting, fermentation, distillation and maturation processes significantly impact the resulting flavor. Oban distillery ( / ˈ oʊ b ə n/ ⓘ OH-bən; [1] Scottish Gaelic: Taigh-stail an Òbain) is a whisky distillery in the Scottish west coast port of Oban. Established in 1794, it was built before the town of the same name, which sprang up later in the surrounding craggy harbour. [2] Oban 14 Years is the core offering from the Oban distillery which is among the oldest distilleries in Scotland. Erected in 1794 it was the beginning of what would become the city of Oban. Unlike many distilleries that spring up inside of a city, this time the city sprung up around the Distillery. On the nose: There is an initial puff of wax that fades immediately and turns into caramel sauce and bubble gum. A very brief dash of smoke. Tulip petals, dry oats, paprika, and almost a sense of creaminess. Overall, it’s balanced, doesn’t have much complexity, and consistently comes across as delicate.

Nose: Distinct malty sweetness, with a faint saline mineral note and hint of smoke. Mint, oak, almonds, and butterscotch. Marketing copy on the label of the 14-year-old expression translates the word Oban to mean ‘Little Bay of Caves,’ describing the area on the shores of Lorn along the Barrain cliffs that has been home to inhabitants since 5,000 BCE.In December 2014 Oban introduced a NAS (non-age-statement) bottling, called Oban "Little Bay". In 2023, Diageo released an 11-year-old Oban called "The Soul of Calypso" as part of the Special Releases. It was matured in Caribbean rum casks. [5] See also [ edit ] The distillery was built in 1794 by the brothers John and Hugh Stevenson and operated by them until 1866, when it was bought by Peter Curnstie. It was then acquired by Walter Higgin in 1883 and rebuilt. In 1898, Alexander Edward, who also owned Aultmore Distillery, bought out Higgin. In its first year of operation, it suffered major losses when a major blending company, Pattison's of Leith, went under. In 1923, Oban was sold to Dewars and joined Distillers Company with that company in 1925. It fell silent from 1931 until 1937 and again from 1969 to 1972 when a new still house was built. In 1989 a new visitors' centre was installed. [4] Bottlings [ edit ]

We deliver to a number of international destinations including the USA. Please use the 'Change Location' link above for an estimate in your local currency or find out more about international delivery The Oban Distillery is primarily known for its 14-year-old malt, which is marketed as part of Diageo's "Classic Malts Selection" range, launched in 1988. Also available is a "Distiller's Edition" bottling, which is finished in a Montilla Fino sherry cask before bottling. There is also an 18-year-old limited edition and a rare 32-year-old edition which is limited to 6000 bottles.Today, there are five official whisky regions, which are tied to scotch’s unique region of geographic indication allowing it to be a protected product in international trade through pacts with the European Union, the United States and most of the whisky-consuming world. But when the UK government updated the Scotch Whisky Regions in 2009, they discontinued a historical region — the Islands — and rolled it into the Highlands.