Oban launches limited-edition distillery exclusive, Oban Young Teddy
Oban Distillery is proud to announce the second release celebrating the legacy of the MacLean family at the Oban Distillery. Finished in Palo Cortado and Oloroso Sherry Casks, Oban Young Teddy is inspired by Teddy MacLean, who followed in his father’s footsteps when he joined the Oban Distillery family in 1985.
Retired Distillery Operator, Teddy MacLean, says: ‘This bottling is incredibly special to me and my family as we continue to build the MacLean’s legacy here at the Oban distillery for generations to come. Over the years we’ve talked and debated the various elements and influences that deliver that unmistakable character of Oban, talking late into the night about how different sherry casks influence our whisky to create something we’ve never tasted before. Eventually the curiosity got the better of us and the result is this truly special whisky with rich, fruity flavours coming through. This is a gift to our distillery fans, from our family to theirs.’
The character of this unique limited-edition bottling reflects the relaxed and quiet charm and approachability of the man who inspired it. The whisky opens with mild sweet scents of caramel, shortly joined by fresh sea salt air and dry sand. This multi-layered expression has gently matured to become warm and generous, yet unmistakably Oban in character – sharing spicier, sweeter aromas of dried fruits and citrus.
Nestled between ancient cliffs and the sea, Oban has been at the heart of town for the past 229 years, building and celebrating the community that grew around the distillery. Oban Young Teddy follows the release of the now sold-out Oban Old Teddy in 2019, honouring another Teddy MacLean, the first-generation master distiller and custodian of the cask, who worked at Oban distillery from 1953 until 1990. The MacLean legacy is Oban, both small and great.
Barbara Smith, Managing Director of Diageo’s Scotland Brand Homes, said: ‘Oban is one of our most visited distilleries with guests from across the world looking to explore all this wonderful coastal town has to offer. Our people are our greatest asset and Young Teddy and his family have played a hugely important role at Oban Distillery, and we’re delighted to celebrate the Maclean legacy with this exclusive bottling.”
Oban Young Teddy will be available for purchase exclusively from the distillery from Monday 20th March 2023. A limited-edition Single Malt Scotch whisky with only 4,542 bottles available. Oban Young Teddy will retail at RSP £195 per 70cl bottle and is bottled at 50.8% ABV.
Tasting Notes
o Appearance: Deep amber, with copper lights. Exceptional fine beading.
o Body: Medium.
o Nose: Mild in feel even with the strength, the nose opens with a sweet scent of caramel, hinting at sticky toffee pudding. After a while this is joined by a faint maritime scent suggesting clean, fresh salt sea air, salt crystals and dry sand, and the nose becomes creamier. Treacle toffee or nut brittle appears in the development, with a drop of water bringing out coffee aromas.
o Palate: A creamy-smooth texture leads into a taste that is sweet overall with a trace of salt in mid-palate. Vibrantly, it seems to cocoon the sweet, fresh sea air hints of Oban in spicier, sweeter robes, making this a weightier dram while retaining its essential character. Water does not change the balance.
o Finish: Long and spicy, with a shake of white pepper. Adding a little water brings up a last glimpse of the Sherry cask characters.
About Oban
Oban, Gaelic for Little Bay, is a town that celebrates the beauty of small things. None is more famous than Oban Distillery built in 1794 by local entrepreneurs, the Stevenson brothers. The distillery is trapped between ancient cliffs and the sea, and the town of Oban developed around it, preventing any significant expansion for the past two hundred years. The Oban Distillery distils in tiny lantern-shaped copper pot stills that are among the smallest in Scotland, and still uses traditional worm tubs that impart a unique distillery character.
The OBAN and OBAN LITTLE BAY words and associated logos are trademarks words and associated logos are trademarks. © DIAGEO 2019
About Diageo
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB and Buchanan’s whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.
Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO). For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives and ways to share best practice.
Provided by Oban Distillery
