A trip to Oban, the gateway to the Hebrides, is a fantastic expedition for any whisky fan – but especially those who like to do things in small, exclusive batches

Oban is a magical place to visit. A town that built itself around a distillery but also as a gateway to the Hebrides. Travelling here from any part of Scotland is an adventure that everyone should try once. The train journey from Glasgow is superb, bringing you deep into the mythical landscape of Scotland with huge lochs, deep valleys and rolling mountains flanking you on every side. The trains are packed with tourists too, and not just the whisky type. The Hebrides is an incredible natural resource pulling hikers, environmentalists, bird watchers, families, kayakers and whisky aficionados to its heart. Expect demand for hotel rooms in peak season and a crush at the bar when you arrive, for this is a destination sought after by all. 

VICTORIAN HEARTLAND

The whisky drinker, in particular, is going to love this small coastal town. Take a room in the Victorian Columba Hotel on the quayside and you’ll find a two-minute walk to the distillery is punctuated only by the pull of the historic 18th-century Oban Inn next door. The Columba Hotel is an old-school thick carpeted, heavy-doored, friendly and comfortable three-star premises. It’s one of around 15 hotels in the town and you can watch the ferries leave for the islands from many of its rooms and suites. A view of the distillery is even better as Oban Distillery sits in the very centre of the town, landlocked by the businesses and winding streets around it.

It runs tours daily – both distillery production tours and tastings. It’s a friendly and engaging place that reveals the wealth of flavour and personality at the heart of this relatively quiet brand, owned by Diageo and operating in the same location since 1793. Oban is one of the smallest distilleries in Scotland, with just two copper stills and only seven people employed to run production. This isn’t a brand that gets overly excited at press launches. It allows the whisky to speak for itself, giving the drinker the chance to absorb the value in Oban through a pour. 

MARITIME INFLUENCE

Given its location, there is an undeniably maritime influence on this fine single malt. Fans also recognise an orange flavour layer to their whisky that often gives it away at blind tastings. Smoke, seal salt and peat make their presence felt in the older editions and that wonderful Christmas cake and cinnamon personality comes through in their distillery releases and younger sherry-finished editions.

There are four core bottles in the Oban range (14-, 18-year-old, Little Bay and the Distillers Edition). Separately, Diageo has put Oban front and centre by adding them to their annual Diageo Special Release series. 

Here are three recent Oban bottles from that exclusive collection.

Oban 10 2022

This bottle arrived in the most recent Diageo Special Release edition. A cask-strength bottling of 57.1%, it’s an elegant sherry-forward Highland whisky that is a terrific starting point for anyone interested in delving deeper into the Oban identity. This limited edition single malt is themed around the Celestial Blaze, a reference to the northern lights which can often be seen from Oban. With distinct maritime notes and a subtle orange personality this bottle holds its own within an edition of the special releases series which is at a more accessible price point than previous years.

Oban 12 2021

When Diageo Master Blender, Dr Craig Wilson, put together the 2021 edition of Diageo’s Special Releases he used the theme of Legend’s Untold to do so. Oban was a terrific choice in this case as it releases so little of its own spirit that a new bottling is always welcome. They used a pair of foxes on the label to illustrate the light and dark contained within the flavour profile of the bottle. This 56.2% single malt was fully matured in charred American oak. A little less maritime in its profile, this bottling is carried on layers of salt and pepper, chili notes, spice and honey. With dried fruits and a sweetness, it’s true to its single American oak casking. 

Oban 21 2018

The 2018 edition of Diageo’s Special release series was built around first – it had the oldest bottle ever distilled from Carseridge at 48 years of age. It had the Singleton Glen Ord, matured in five casks and triple distilled and from Oban, it chose a 21-year-old single malt – the oldest bottling to come from the distillery at that time. Matured in American oak and European sherry butts, it was bottled at 57.9%. The sherry wood delivered lots of fruit including orange, raspberry, cinnamon and lots of spice. A really long-finish whiskey that deserves time to breathe. 

Click here for more Diageo Special Releases from our shelves