Oban Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Oban single malt Scotch whisky comes from one of Scotland’s oldest and smallest distilleries, established in 1794 in the coastal town of Oban, on the west coast of the Highlands. Known for its beautifully balanced style, sitting between the rich, fruity malts of the Highlands and the smoky, maritime whiskies of the islands, Oban has a distinctive character shaped by its location and traditional production methods.

The distillery is unusual in being located right in the heart of the town, wedged between the harbour and the steep cliffside. Its founders, brothers Hugh and John Stevenson, chose the site for its access to good water, a sheltered port, and a steady supply of barley from the surrounding region. Over the centuries, the distillery has remained small in scale, with a production capacity of around 870,000 litres of spirit annually, a fraction of many modern operations.

Oban’s water source is Loch Gleann a’Bhearraidh, and it uses unpeated malted barley for most of its production, allowing the coastal influence to shine naturally through the spirit. The stillhouse contains just two copper pot stills, one wash still and one spirit still, making Oban one of the few remaining two-still distilleries in Scotland. The relatively small stills, along with long fermentation times and slow distillation, produce a rich, oily spirit with a layered flavour profile.

The core range is anchored by the iconic Oban 14 Year Old, a single malt that perfectly captures the distillery’s balance of malt sweetness, coastal salinity, and gentle smoke. Other notable releases include:
• Oban Little Bay - a small-batch expression matured in smaller casks for greater wood influence, offering rich fruit and spice.
• Oban Distillers Edition - finished in Montilla Fino sherry casks for added nutty sweetness and depth.
• Limited editions and older age statements, often part of Diageo’s Special Releases, which are sought after by collectors.

Maturation typically takes place in American oak ex-bourbon casks, with some European oak for sherry finishes. The warehouses’ proximity to the harbour ensures a constant influence of salty, sea air, which subtly permeates the spirit over years of ageing.

Flavour-wise, Oban is medium-bodied and complex. The nose offers aromas of orange zest, sea spray, heather honey, and a faint whiff of smoke. On the palate, sweet malt, stone fruit, and gentle peat mingle with a briny freshness, leading to a long, warming finish with notes of spice and maritime salt. This balance makes Oban a highly versatile whisky, appealing both to lovers of smoky island malts and those who prefer the richness of Highland styles.

Due to the distillery’s small size and limited output, Oban remains a relatively rare single malt, with much of its production reserved for the official bottlings. Independent releases are scarce, making the core range the best way to experience this unique distillery’s style.

Our Oban Single Malt Scotch Whisky selection includes the signature 14 Year Old, innovative cask finishes, and special limited editions. Whether enjoyed neat, with a splash of water, or paired with seafood, Oban offers a refined taste of Scotland’s coastal Highlands, a whisky that embodies both place and tradition.