Oban Distillery

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Oban

Oban distillery, with McCaig's Tower in the background
Region: Highland
Location:	Oban
Owner:	Diageo
Founded:	1794
Status:	Operational
No. of Stills:	1 wash 1 spirit
Oban
Age(s):	14-year-old Distiller's Edition

Oban Distillery is a whisky distillery in the Scottish west coast port of Oban. It is one of

the few distilleries to be built, in 1794, before the actual town which sprung up later in

the surrounding craggy harbor.^[1] The distillery has only two pot stills, making it one of

the smallest in Scotland, producing a whisky that has been described as having a 'West

Highland' flavor that falls between the dry, smoky style of the Scottish islands and the

lighter, sweeter malts of the Highlands.^[2] The Oban distillery is currently owned by Diageo.

History

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 Limited 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.

The Oban Distillery is primarily known for its 14-year-old expression, 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 a rare 18-year-old limited edition as well as an even rarer 32-year-old edition.