Oban celebrates heritage with Old Teddy whisky

Diageo-owned Scotch whisky Oban has released a limited edition single malt to mark three generations of the Maclean family at the distillery, called Old Teddy.

Oban Old Teddy is bottled at 51.7% abv

Limited to 3,960 bottles, Oban Old Teddy is “inspired by the unique and personal stories” of the Maclean family, who have served the distillery on Scotland’s west coast for three generations.

According to Diageo, the legacy began in 1953 with Old Teddy, a first-generation master distiller at Oban. Old Teddy passed his skills onto his son, Young Teddy, who joined the site in 1985.

Grandson Derek then took over in 2017 and is still employed at Oban to this day. Only seven workers are involved in making Oban whisky.

The Oban Old Teddy whisky is matured in ex-bodega Sherry casks and re-fill casks. The expression has “ripe orchard, dried berries and the signature Oban citrus peel” on the nose, while the palate has “warming woody spice and burnt oranges”.

The addition of a splash of water to the whisky is said to make the fruity characters more pronounced.

“This unique bottling is a celebration of our heritage and pays homage to my grandfather, whose fine craftsmanship has been preserved in the heart and soul of the distillery at Oban,” said Derek Maclean, senior operator at Oban.

“This bottling is inspired by Old Teddy’s warm and gentle nature, physical strength and pride as dedicated maltster. It is a dram he would be proud of.”

Bottled at 51.7% abv, Oban Old Teddy will retail at £150 (US$182.86) per 700ml bottle. It is only available to buy from the Oban Distillery in Oban.