Oban Scotch-single
West Highland single malt, small stills, coastal character since 1794.
The story behind Oban
Oban has been distilling on the same one acre of West Highland coast since 1794, when John and Hugh Stevenson built the works before the town of Oban grew up around it. It remains one of Scotland's smallest operating distilleries, run by a team of roughly seven people with one wash still and one spirit still.
The character comes from patience and plumbing. A 110 hour fermentation builds a floral, citrus forward wash, and the vapor runs through traditional wooden worm tubs on the roof, cooled with deliberately hot water to keep copper contact long and the spirit light rather than sulfurous. Everything is 100 percent lightly peated malted barley and Loch Gleann a' Bhearraidh water, aged mostly in refill American oak ex-bourbon casks.
Explore the Oban range
Four expressions, one small still pair. Each Oban bottling keeps the brine and orchard fruit house style, with cask and age shifting the weight.
| Expression | Type | Proof / ABV | Tasting notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oban 14 Single Malt 750mL | Single malt Scotch | 86 | Brine, orange peel, honey, gentle peat smoke |
| Oban Little Bay 750mL | Single malt Scotch | 86 | Small cask matured, richer, dried fruit and sea salt |
| Oban 18yr 750mL | Single malt Scotch | 86 | Two decades of calm, toffee, oak, soft smoke |
| Oban Distiller Edition 750mL | Single malt Scotch | 86 | Montilla Fino sherry finish, almond, citrus, salinity |
| Oban 14 Year Old | Single malt Scotch | 86 | Double Gold 2022, Gold 2024, the benchmark pour |
Which Oban is right for you?
Oban sits in the premium single malt tier, and the shelf here reflects that honestly. The 14 Year Old is $89.99, the same as Little Bay, while the 18 Year Old lands at $100 and the Distillers Edition at $69.99. These are 750mL bottles at 43 percent ABV, or 86 proof, across the range. For a distillery this small, with seven people and one still pair, the pricing is fair rather than fashionable. Call us at (631) 343-7200 for current stock before you drive over.
Brine and citrus cut straight through raw shellfish and grilled seafood.
Montilla Fino finish adds almond and salinity to the house style.
Older oak softens the smoke into toffee and calm.