Another big release from a tiny distillery.

Life starts tough for some, but it’s all about how you play your cards, they say. John and Hugh Stevenson lost their father early on and had to take on jobs as boat-builders in Oban, a small port city in Scotland, to make a living. But they had a thirst for knowledge and a passion for splendid booze, so in 1794, they risked it all and opened a small distillery 208 steps away from the sea. The risk paid off, it seems. To this day, Oban distillery is one of the tiniest (it only has two stills and 7 employers), but the most prestigious distilleries in Scotland, still making the spectacular Single Malts using the same process the Stevenson brothers established in 1794. Oban Whiskies are known for their “West Highland” flavor, balancing somewhere between the dry, peaty Malts of Scottish islands and the sweeter Malts of the Highlands.

In 2022, Oban released a special Distillers Edition, a display of master craftsmanship. This spectacular Single Malt has been maturing twice: first in Refill American and European Oak, and then in Montilla Fino-seasoned re-charred American Oak. This dry, delicate cask enhances the elegant and graceful style of Oban Single Malts, bringing out even more salt, grape, and creaminess of this fine release. The exact age of the maturation process is not disclosed. It is bottled at an ABV of 43% and it is best drunk neat, or maybe just a splash of water that will bring out new layers of flavor. An excellent Spirit.