Oban

Translation: Small bay
Region: (Western) Highlands

He was a bit crazy, Mr. McCaig.

If you come to the small coastal town of Oban, you will not see the distillery of the same name immediately. It is rather hidden, unobtrusively inserted into a row of houses in the center. But what you see immediately, unmistakably high above the city, the Roman Coliseum. At least a replica of it. The mighty structure was built around 1900 by John Stuart McCaig. The wealthy banker from Oban wanted to leave something to posterity - and provide the local stonemasons with work in the winter months as well. His plans originally included a replica of the entire Colosseum with its integrated museum and art gallery. His death in 1902 brought the project to a sudden end, only the imposing exterior facade was finished. Thus, "McCaig's Tower" has been unfinished over Oban for more than 100 years. Today it is part of a public park that offers visitors spectacular views. Across Oban and the islands opposite - and the Oban Distillery directly below. It has been memorializing the place for over 200 years in its own way.

A little history

The distillery was founded in 1794 by the brothers John and Hugh Stevenson. Basically, the Oban distillery was in front of Oban, in the center of which it is located. The city was only gradually formed around the distillery. The small port town grew particularly fast with the advent of the railway in the mid-19th century, when Oban became an important "gate to the islands".
In 1890 the distillery under James Walter Higgin was extensively renovated. The planned construction of new warehouses, however, had to be halted after important archaeological finds were made in the ground: 5,000-year-old remains of six adults and four children.
In 1923 Oban went to Buchanan-Dewar and, after some mergers, ultimately to its current owner, Diageo.
Oban has been part of the "Classic Malts" range since its introduction in 1988 and represents the Western Highlands here.

What do I actually have in the glass?

Oban, like the Old Pulteney from the north, is clearly a whiskey from the coast with a maritime character: spiciness, some smoke and a clear sea breeze with a fresh, salty note.

3 reasons to love Oban

1) Because sea air is healthy.
2) Because the distillery blends so uniquely with the city.
3) Because the next pub is just around the corner.

The one drama for the lonely island

The "Distillers Edition" adds a wonderful full sherry sweetness to the spicy, rougher notes. Delicious.

numbers and facts

Address: Stadfford Street, Oban, Argyll PA34 5NH
Founded: 1794 by John and Hugh Stevenson
Status: active
Owner: Diageo
Capacity: approx. 670,000 liters
1 wash still (18,800 l)
1 spirit still (8,296 l)
Water: Loch Gleann a'Bherraidh
Visitor Center: Yes
Telephone: +44 (0) 1631/572002
Website: www.malts.com