Oban 1996 21 years old - 70cl

Oban 21 Year Old Special Release 1996 (2018) is a limited-edition Highland single malt Scotch whisky distilled in 1996 at the Oban Distillery and bottled in 2018 as part of the Diageo Special Releases series. It is a relatively rare expression designed to highlight the distillery’s coastal character at high strength.

General profile

Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Region: Western Highlands, Scotland

Distillation year: 1996

Age: 21 years

Bottling year: 2018

ABV: ~57.9% (cask strength)

Cask type: Refill European oak butts

Style: Maritime Highland malt with light smoke and strong spice

Production: Limited release (exact bottle count not publicly disclosed)

Refill European oak casks give less sherry influence, allowing the distillery character (coastal, salty, citrusy) to dominate the whisky.

Tasting description
Nose (aroma)

Sea breeze / maritime salt

Warm sand and dry seagrass

Honey and lemon zest

Fruit cake and citrus

Light peat smoke and menthol notes

Subtle wood spice and toasted oak

Palate (taste)

Creamy and oily mouthfeel

Citrus fruits (orange, lemon)

Tropical fruit hints (pineapple, mango)

Cocoa, roasted coconut, and hazelnut

Peppery spice with herbal touches

Light sweetness balanced by dry oak

Finish

Long and warming

Spicy oak and cloves

Black tea and cedar

Lingering citrus and maritime salt

Style characteristics

This bottling emphasizes classic Oban DNA:

Coastal saltiness

Gentle Highland fruitiness

Subtle peat smoke

Peppery oak spice

Compared with heavily sherried malts, it is drier and more mineral, highlighting the distillery spirit itself.