The tiny distillery of Oban was founded by brothers Hugh and John Stevenson way back in 1794, and the town grew up around it. Oban was advertised to be “the finest sma’ (small) still whisky in the Highlands” by new owner J. Walter Higgin in 1883. Due to the non-expandable distillery size they use small stills, which don’t run continuously. Judicious rest is needed to maintain the spirit’s light, fruity and spicy character. Oban almost fell victim to its size but fortunately a reprieve was granted and in 1972 a new still-house was built. Oban’s current 14-year-old is highly regarded.

The DISTILLERS EDITION is a collection of master-craftsmanship. Each cask in the series is individually selected and perfectly matched to the character of each of the single malts refined here. The two-parted maturation process gives more depth and complexity, which is the idea behind the limited DISTILLERS EDITION: preserving the perfection of the single malts that have already been awarded for their outstanding flavours. The selected taste nuances are more strongly accentuated in a way that is not found in the regular bottlings, but with fully maintaining the original character of these fine single malts.

SCOTLAND'S FINEST - Since 1997, the Distillers Editions have been an annual release of limited quantities, each very much true to its origins yet possessing a rich depth, complexity and nuance of flavour not found in the regular release. This excellent Oban variant has been firstly matured in Refill American and European Oak casks. With the second maturation finished in Montilla Fino-seasoned re-charred American Oak and heavily re-charred new AO ends.

PURE FLAVOUR - To underline its sea-laced flavours, the Master Distiller of Oban has chosen Montilla Fino. This dry, delicate cask beautifully enhances the distinctively graceful style of Oban. Creamy-smooth marriage of grape, sea air and spiciness. The whisky beautifully balances smooth creaminess with hints of salty sea breeze. Notes of grape from the dry Montilla Fino grow with time into waves of malt and white pepper, finishing with a beautifully long sweet smoke in the classic Oban style. A stunningly smooth marriage of hints of grape, sea air and spice.

TASTING NOTES

COLOUR: Clear amber. Fine beading. Long thin legs.

BODY: Medium

NOSE: Opens very fine, clean and sweet with hints of salty sea breeze and a light, grapey note from the dry Fino, then grows more pungent with time, to hint of smoke and spice.

PALATE: Creamy smooth and sweet and gently grapey to start; then waves of malty flavour develop, all held together by a real backbone of sea salt and gentle white-pepper spiciness. Delicious and easy to drink.

FINISH: Long, attractively sweet-smoky and clean, with appetising oak-spice. Drying, with an attractive, lightly peppery aftertaste.