Oban distillery, with McCaig's Tower in the background |
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| Region: Highland | |
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| Location | Oban |
| Owner | Diageo |
| Founded | 1794 |
| Status | Operational |
| Number of stills | 1 wash 1 spirit |
| Oban | |
| Age(s) | 14-year-old Distiller's Edition |
Oban Distillery (Scottish Gaelic: Taigh-stail an Òbain) is a whisky distillery in the Scottish west coast port of Oban. It is one of the few distilleries to have been 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.
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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 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.
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