Oban is a small distillery, situated in the heart of the high street in the town after which it is named. Although its output is deliberately low in order to retain its character, it had an early presence on the single malt scene, with the blending company John Hopkins & Co, under license from DCL, introduced a 12 year old expression back in 1979. The newly launched Oban single malt brand was introduced alongside a new 14 year old distillery bottling in 1988, when the distillery was selected by United Distillers to represent the Western Highlands in the Classic Malts range.

This is a well-aged and incredibly desirable Oban, distilled in 1969 and bottled as a 32 year old as part of Diageo's annual special releases in 2002.

Colour: straw. Nose: this one starts very close to plum spirit, kirsch… Big notes of fresh almonds as well, fresh walnuts, crystallized citrons, lemon marmalade… Less phenolic and peaty but fruitier than the 1963 and perhaps a tad woodier, but it’s just as superb. Faint whiffs of sea breeze but that may be just my mind. As close to a great wood matured plum brandy as whisky can get – just better. Mouth: we’ve got the same differences with the 1963 as on the nose, albeit in smaller proportions. Plum brandy (or any stones fruits for that matter), sorb apple spirit, good marzipan (without too much sugar), bitter chocolate, teas, lemon marmalade… Not gentle at all I must say, this one is rather a beast and I’d say it’s for true aficionados only (but what’s a true aficionado? you may ask). Finish: as long as the 1963’s, still on plum brandy, with a little tar now and again that faint saltiness.

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