Skip to content
  • Home
  • Whisky Top 10
  • Tasting Notes
  • About Thijs
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Whisky Top 10
  • Tasting Notes
  • About Thijs
  • Contact
logo
oban 1969 32 years old

Oban 1969 32 Years Old (2002)

8 March 2019 6 comments Article Highlands, Oban, Reviews, Scotland

A whisky friend of mine actually owns a bottle of the Oban 1969 32 Years Old, and we’ve been trying for years for him to open it. Alas, no luck so far. But come to think of it, he might open it later this year in December, as that’s when he hits the big 5-0.

Oban is one of Diageo’s smaller distilleries, and not much of it hits the market as a single malt. The Distillers Edition is a yearly staple, and recently an Oban was released as part of the Game of Thrones single malts. But overall Oban’s Whiskybase page is one of the most scarcely populated entries in the database.

This Oban 1969 is easily one of the highest rated on Whiskybase, and is also the oldest Oban ever released. For fans of Oban, this is quite simply a bucket list dram. While I wouldn’t put myself in that group (there’s not much Oban around, so I haven’t tasted a lot of it, and thus I can hardly call myself a fan), I sure am happy that I get to try this.

Oban 1969 32 Years Old (55.1%, OB, 2002)

Nose: Oy, that’s a lot of orange. Cointreau, but also more vibrant orange zest. Oh, and there’s plums too. Pretty intense. Hints of marzipan, as well as melted butter and beeswax. There’s a touch of shoe polish, and just a whiff of peat smoke, and paraffin.
Taste: Sweet. Honey comb, orange peel, orange marmalade, and a touch of menthol that goes a long way. Some more marzipan and warming cinnamon, but also a whiff of wood smoke, resin, shoe polish and maldon salt. The balance is beautiful.
Finish: Lingering resin notes, accompanied by subtle citrus and a whiff of smoke.

Score: 92

It’s the balance that makes this whisky. Beautiful stuff. I forgot, but I believe I got this sample from Dirk? Whoever it was, thanks for sharing!

Photo: whisky-online.com

Thijs Klaverstijn Kingairloch 3
Thijs Klaverstijn

Thijs is a spirits writer and accredited liquorist from The Netherlands. He runs the blog Words of Whisky and contributes to a number of Dutch and international publications.

Tags: 1969, 32yo, highlands, oban

6 comments

  • dale sevig 2 June 2020 at 21:25 - Reply

    i just bought a bottle of this fine scotch? drinkable now I am sure? value?

    • Thijs Klaverstijn 4 June 2020 at 13:06 - Reply

      Glad to hear it and I hope you enjoy it!

  • Mark H 27 July 2020 at 23:57 - Reply

    I had a bottle of this that I bought directly from the Oban distillery when I visited Scotland over 10 years ago and paid 175 GBP for it. I finally cracked it open for my leaving party after spending 13 years in Bermuda. Great taste but am now kicking myself for not saving it longer.

    • Thijs Klaverstijn 28 July 2020 at 13:16 - Reply

      Glad to hear you opened your bottle for what seems like a great occasion as well. Why would you’ve wanted to keep it closed for longer?

  • Steven Ayckbourn 19 August 2020 at 09:24 - Reply

    Hi Thijs,

    I have a bottle of the Oban 1969 32 Year Old Single Malt Natural Cask Strength with Tube – bottle number 2717 / 6000.

    I bought it in early 2000 when I was in Oban and visiting the distillery. I now have it stored in a wine cellar.

    Due to medical issues I am no longer drinking alcohol so I am looking to sell it. Do you know where I could do this privately?

    Thanks, Steven

    • Thijs Klaverstijn 19 August 2020 at 09:31 - Reply

      Hi Steven, your best bet is a reputably whisky auction. There are plenty around. Whisky Auctioneer, Royal Mile Whisky Auction, Whisky.Auction, etc.

      I hope you’ve stored it upright though. Because contrary to wine, strong spirits should never be kept on their side. The higher alcohol content can damage the cork and taint the whisky.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Tumblr

Most popular posts

  • glenallachie 10yo cask strength batch 4 GlenAllachie 10 Years Cask Strength Batch 4 (2020)
  • longrow red 10yo refill malbec 2020 Longrow Red 10 Years Refill Malbec (2020)
  • Glendronach cask (flickr ti yab) GlenDronach Is A Lot Older Than The Label Says
  • april fools whisky exchange speyside 30yo 2021 April Fool’s Whisky 2021 (The Whisky Exchange)
  • the bookinist glen garioch ardmore Glen Garioch & Ardmore 2008 (The Bookinist)

Recent blog posts

  • Upcoming: Blind Tasting Competition
  • Sexism & Misogyny in our Whisky Community
  • Monologue: Waterford’s Mark Reynier on Biodynamics & Terroir
  • Why The Whiskybase Gathering Should Be On Your Bucket List
  • Visiting Ballindalloch Distillery: Tradition & Patience in Speyside

Copyright Words of Whisky 2021