oban whisky distillery tour

FREE DELIVERY FOR MALTS CLUB MEMBERS OR ON ORDERS OVER £75

THE DISTILLERY

Take a peek at the ins and outs of our working distillery. From the close sea location to the complex whisky making process, book your tour online at Oban Distillery today. We can’t wait to welcome you. 

Advanced booking for tours and experiences is highly recommended to avoid disappointment.

If you plan on visiting us with your dog, please view our full policy here .

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Tasting Experiences & Tour Options

A Taste of Oban

Join one of our expert guides for a tutored tasting of 4 drams of our Oban whiskies, including our exclusive bottling.

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OBAN DISTILLERY TOUR

The complete tour of the distillery and a guided tasting. An insight into our whisky making process while enjoying a dram of our single malt in our Mill room, followed by a visit of our production area, old filling store and dram room. Includes a taste of our Distillery Exclusive limited bottling and a free gift.

Plan your visit

Getting here.

Take a look at our travel tips to plan your visit. Visit Traveline Scotland's website to plan your route and for up to date transport options.

Read More Visit travelinescotland.com

The Whisky Gift Card

Give the gift of whisky. The Whisky Gift Card lets your loved ones shop all of the top whiskies and merchandise at our visitor experiences in Scotland including Johnnie Walker Princes Street, Talisker, Lagavulin, Singleton and more. Available to purchase at the retail area at the distillery now. View full terms and conditions and visit your nearest distillery to purchase yours.

Oban Distillery, Oban, Argyll, PA34 5NH, UK

T | 01631 572004 E | [email protected]

OPENING HOURS

Please note that during winter the distillery may have to close at short notice due to weather conditions. Please check our Google listing for up to date information before you visit us. Jan - Dec | Mon - Sun | 10:00 - 17:00 Special Christmas Hours Apply to the following dates only Closed 25th & 26th Dec and 1st Jan inclusive. Open 10am-4pm on 24th & 31st Dec. The bar at Oban is open 1pm - 4.30pm during the distillery's opening hours. Last orders are at 4pm. Menus are subject to change and availability.

Our Responsibility

ACCESSIBILITY

We’re pleased to have consulted Euan’s guide to ensure that we provide disabled access information upfront to give all our visitors the confidence to visit our distillery and enjoy the experience. Please do let us know if you have any specific requirements at the time of your booking and a member of staff will be in touch.

Sustainability

Find out about our sustainable facilities and features at the distillery including information about EV charging points and bicycle racks.

Visit Traveline Scotland's website to plan your route and for up to date transport options.

Learn about our latest releases straight from the distillery

Oban Distillery

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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Oban Distillery

Oban is the frontier between the West Highlands and the Islands

For two centuries Oban’s bustling fishing village has sat on the frontier of the West Highlands and the Islands, the meeting place of land and sea. One of Scotland’s oldest licensed distilleries, Oban’s sheltered harbour is perfect for two things: seafaring and whisky-making. Take a peek at the ins and outs of our working distillery. The Oban Distillery Tour is a complete tour of the distillery and a guided tasting. An insight into our whisky making process while enjoying a dram of our single malt in our Mill room, followed by a visit of our production area, old filling store (with a taste from an Oban cask) and dram room.

Oban Distillery Stafford St Oban PA34 5NH

Tel: 01631 572004

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DESTINATIONS , EUROPE , SCOTLAND

7 things i learnt about whisky on an oban distillery tour.

There was a collective intake of breath as ‘Magic Mike’, our  Oban Distillery tour  guide, prepared to share his three cardinal rules for judging the quality of Scotch whisky. 

“First, it needs to be in my hand. Second, it needs to taste good.”  

As he paused for dramatic effect, we leaned in closer.  “Finally, the third and most important rule  …  someone else has to pay for it.”

Established in 1794, Oban Distillery is one of the oldest and smallest in Scotland. The location was chosen for its harbour, and the  town of Oban  subsequently grew around the distillery. 

Today, the distillery’s seven operators churn out over a million bottles of Oban single malt whisky each year.

Can’t tell your 14-year-old single malt from your blended whisky? And what’s the deal with water and ice? This one-hour Oban Distillery tour debunks some of the myths around Scotch whisky and demystifies the process.

Mike’s mission was to turn those who couldn’t care less about whisky into “enthusiastic amateurs.” Already firmly in the latter category, I needed no such Damascene conversion, but I did learn a LOT about whisky from this distillery visit.

1. The difference between single malt and blended whisky

That’s right. Before taking this distillery tour, I had no idea how a single malt differed from a blended whisky. Other than the taste that is.

The answer is simple. Single malt whisky is produced at a single distillery from water and malted barley only. Blended whisky contains distillates from more than one distillery.

2. The key flavours of Oban single malt whisky

This Oban Distillery tour was a true flavour-finding experience.  To my uneducated palate, Scotch whisky was merely pleasantly warming stuff with varying degrees of smokiness. 

Wrong, wrong, wrong.

Oban Whisky has four key flavours: smoky, sea salt, orange peel and honey. In the first stage of the whisky-making process, the barley is lightly exposed to peat  smoke , lending it a subtler smoky finish than some other Scotch whiskies, Laphroaig for example. Although the smokiness of Oban’s 14-year-old single malt wasn’t evident on sniffing the whisky, I could certainly taste it.

For you chemists out there, Oban whisky’s distinctive  orange  notes are a result of esterification during the fermentation process.  Honey  sweetness arises as a result of the whisky interacting with the oak casks, the final stage of the whisky-making process.

As for the  sea salt , no one knows where this comes from.

However, I confess that I couldn’t pick up the salty notes from the whisky tasting. Perhaps I need to drink more of the stuff to educate my palate?

3. The difference between Scotch and Irish whisky

This is mostly down to the distillation process. After fermentation, the resulting liquid or ‘wash’, is run through copper stills to produce a clear distillate. As Mike put it:

it is basically like boiling beer

Scotch whisky is usually distilled twice. By contrast, Irish whisky is distilled three times, which produces a purer product, albeit arguably with less character.

At Oban Distillery, they produce 5,000 litres of clear distillate each day.  

4. The flavour of whisky is all to do with the oak

Maturation of the distillate in oak casks is the final stage of the whisky-making process and is key to its final flavour.

Previously used oak casks from the American bourbon and Spanish sherry-making industries are typically used, their natural oils imparting their flavour to the distillate. Wood is porous and allows air to enter, oxidisation breaking down the alcohol and releasing tannins from the oak (more chemistry).  

5. Scots get their ‘angel’s share’ of whisky

As well as allowing air to enter the cask, the porosity of the oak also allows air to escape.

Each cask loses 4% of its contents through evaporation in the first year, and 2% in each subsequent year. This is called the ‘angel’s share.’

From the 18 million casks of whisky produced annually in Scotland, that’s a lot for the angels!  

6. Older is not necessarily better Scotch whisky

Under UK and EU law, the distillate must be left to mature in oak casks for a minimum of three years before it can be called Scotch whisky. In practice, many Scottish distilleries have a longer maturation period.

Although some distilleries may use their ultra-long maturation periods as a marketing strategy, this does not necessarily mean that the whisky will taste better. As the maturation period increases, the wood dominates and the balance and relationship between the flavours shift.

Oban Distillery matures most of its whisky for 14 years, which they claim is the optimal duration. In the words of our tour guide:

“Orange, smoke and honey working in perfect harmony.”

7. The best way to take your single malt whisky

How do you take yours? Do you add water or ice or prefer it to slide neat down your throat? Or – Heaven forbid! – do you add a mixer?

According to Mike, the choice is between neat or with a teeny, tiny measure of water.

On the distillery tour, we tried it neat (very good). Then our guide suggested we add a mere two or three drops of water, measured from a pipette, and try it again.

The difference was astonishing. Adding this minuscule amount of water to the 14-year-old whisky reduced its fire, allowing the flavours to come through.  

How to Do an Oban Distillery Tour

You’ll find the Oban Distillery Visitor Centre in the centre of town at Stafford St, Oban PA34 5NH.

Oban Distillery’s opening hours  are seasonal. Check their website for further information.  

In 2024, a one-hour tour costs £22.

How to Get to Oban

I travelled to Oban by train. From London to Glasgow Central on the line formally operated by Virgin Trains (now  Avanti West Coast ), and then taking the West Highland Line from Glasgow Queen Street. 

The journey from Glasgow takes just over three hours and costs from £20 one-way. Book train tickets in advance for the best prices. 

Services do not run frequently and can be busy. Neglect to reserve a seat at the time of buying your ticket at your peril. 

If you are  driving , the quickest route will take you around 2.5 hours from Glasgow. Longer and more scenic routes are also available.  

Ready to visit Oban Distillery?

I thoroughly recommend this distillery tour. It’s educational and entertaining and you will get to sample 3 drams of their delicious single malt whisky. When I visited, we could keep the tasting glass!

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About Bridget

Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.

Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.

To get in touch, email her at [email protected] or follow her on social media.

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Oban Distillery

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Oban Distillery

Nestling beneath the steep cliff that overlooks Oban, one of Scotland's oldest sources of Single Malt Scotch Whisky is just a short meander from the sea. For two centuries Oban’s bustling fishing village has sat on the frontier of the West Highlands and the Islands, the meeting place of land and sea. One of Scotland’s oldest licensed distilleries, Oban’s sheltered harbour is perfect for two things: seafaring and whisky-making.

Founded in 1794, the distillery is the heart of the town. In fact, there wouldn’t have been an Oban town if it weren’t for entrepreneurial brothers Hugh and John Stevenson. But it was the improvements of J. Walter Higgin which put Oban Single Malt Scotch Whisky in a different league.

Oban, Argyll PA34 5NH

This distillery is included as part of our Argyll and The Highlands Tour .

Directions: Oban distillery is situated right in the heart of Oban town centre. When travelling from the north follow the A85 in to Oban town centre. The Distillery is situated on Stafford Street opposite the North Pier. Those coming from the South will enter Oban town on the A816 from Lochgilphead and again it is necessary to follow town centre signage. Street parking and off site car parking are available in close proximity of the distillery - local charges apply.

Opening Times:

• Opening hours vary. Please visit Oban website for more information.

A TASTE OF OBAN £35

Join one of our friendly expert guides who will talk you through a tasting of 4 whiskies during this in depth tasting. Listen as your guide tells you the fascinating story of our whisky and the town we are proud to be a part of. You will leave this tasting packed full of knowledge and a newfound (or strengthened) love for our whisky and for Oban. 

Duration: 1hr

OBAN DISTILLERY TOUR £22

The complete tour of the distillery, including 3 drams of Oban Whisky and an insight into our whisky making process. See the process behind our whisky, experience our captivating still house, mill room and our old filling store.

Oban Distillery Tour | 2 for 1 entry

Scotch Whisky Enthusiast

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Islay & Oban Whisky Tour

2 days 8 hours / day

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Includes: Ferry – Kennacraig to Port Ellen Ferry – Port Askaig to Kennacraig Accommodation supplement for guide Complimentary Whisky Complimentary Snacks

Excludes: Distillery Tours All meals Accommodation

Please visit FAQ for more information

Oban to Kennacraig – (1.40 hours)

Kennacraig to Port Ellen – (2.20 hours)

Islay is a fertile island and has attracted visitors from at least as early as 8000 BC. By 800 AD the Vikings arrived on Islay as it lay on their sea trading route between their homeland and settlements on the Isle of Man and Ireland. Initially as raiders, the Vikings began to settle, marrying into local families who became known as Gael-Gall. The potato famine in 1840 saw many immigrate to places like New Zealand. It is believed that Irish monks in the 14th century were the first to recognise that Islay was ideal for the production of whisky – Uisge Beathe, (water of life). The supply of peat, the pure soft water from the rivers and lochs and ‘bere’ the fore-runner for barley were all here in abundance.

Tour Choices

Select 2 distilleries of your personal choice. Most distilleries offer a range of tour options and prices vary. Therefore the entry fee has not been factored into the tour costs. Clients can either pay on access to the distillery or have it added to the overall tour cost.

Ardbeg / Bowmore / Bruichladdich / Bunnahabhain / Caol Ila / Kilchoman / a range / Laphroaig

Overnight in Bowmore.

Port Ellen ferry to Kennacraig 0910 hrs (2.20 hours)

Dunadd was originally an Iron Age hillfort that dominates a raised rocky outcrop. Standing proudly above the Moine Mhor (the great moss) Dunadd became the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Dal Riata between AD 500 and AD900. This was one of the most important places of its time with a buoyant crafts industry and strong trading activities across Europe. It was thought that kings were anointed here. The original Scots were migrants from Ireland who settled across Argyll in ever greater numbers. They were known as Gaels because they share the common language of Gaelic. The Latin speaking fraternity in the south referred to them as Scoti, thought to be a derogatory term that scribed them as pirates.

Kilmartin Glen

Stroll through the glen and explore ancient burial mounds and standing stones. The area is one of the richest concentrations of prehistoric monuments and historical sites in Scotland. Over 5000 years of human existence stretches across this ancient valley. It contains over 350 monuments within a 6-mile radius with 150 being prehistoric. The monuments include: chambered cairns, round cairns, cists, standing stones and rock carvings. The inhabitants of this area in Scotland pre-date the pyramids and they constructed unique linear cemeteries at Nether Largie South and stone circles at Templewood.

Oban Distillery

Nestled beneath the steep cliffs that overlook Oban, the distillery is one of the oldest and one of the smallest with only 2 pot stills. Established in 1794, it was built before the town sprung up around the craggy harbour. The whisky is described as having a ‘West Highland’ flavour that falls between the dry smoky style of the Scottish islands and the lighter, sweeter malts of the highlands.

Located: Connel, Argyll

Telephone: (+44) 7760 880757

Email: [email protected]

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Oban Malt Whisky Distillery Tour Scotland

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Oban Distillery

Stafford St Oban Argyllshire

Oban PA34 5NH

United Kingdom

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Overall rating

Stopped here passing through Oban and were lucky to get some spots on a distillery tour. I was very happy with my experience. Our tour guide was nice, funny, and knowledgeable. The distillery is small, but beautiful, keeping things simple and offering some great smooth tasting whisky. I was very happy with my time here.

Oban is certainly one of the key highlights of the town and you can probably smell it from a block or so away. It is a fairly small store and a decently sized lounge/bar area where you can try a variety of Oban and read about how the whisky is made from digital kiosks. But if you prefer something more in-depth, you could do tours here as well. Worthwhile visit if you're in the area.

JerryJ is right, even for a non-whiskey-drinker: an interesting and fun time in the distillery. Now 7£ for 1hour minus 3£ reduction if U buy a large bottle. Well worth it.

Not being a whisky fan myself, I wasn't too enthusiastic about accompanying my boyfriend on the tour of the Oban distillery! However I was pleasantly surprised. The tour was very informative and entertaining and I actually found it interesting, even though I don't even like whisky! The tour lasted about an hour and included a full tour of the factory, describing how the whisky is made and showing all the machines. Our tour guide was very good and gave us plenty of info and answered any questions. The tour included a sample of Oban that was being distilled, and at the end a full dram in an Oban whisky glass which we got to keep. For £6 it was really good value. If you are a whisky fan, this is ideal, even if you are not it's still a good place to visit.

Lovely short roundwalk through all places with good explanations. Recommended if you havent done one yet

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