This Oban Scotch is One of My Favorites. Now It’s Even Better.

Steps away from the craggy shores of western Scotland, the Oban distillery has been producing single malt Scotch since 1794. The quaint two-still operation is one of the oldest distilleries in all of Scotland and among the most traditional whisky producers in all of the world. 

Despite its proud reverence for the past, Oban has found a way to stay very relevant in the modern world. In 2025, the brand launched a 15-year cask strength whisky that spent time aging in barrels seasoned with Palo Cortado sherry. While “sherried malts” are hardly a novelty in the realm of Scotch, this particular style of sherry is seldom used by distillers. Last year, this Oban release was one of my favorite whiskies. 

Thankfully Oban has turned its 15-year-old bottling into an annual release and the 2026 edition is finished in a barrel that previously held port. The through-line for the cask finished series is an exploration of how fortified wine casks can augment the rich body and subtle ocean tonalities typical to Oban’s house style. 

The brand new Port Cask Finish seeks to build upon the port-to-port connection between its maritime hometown and Porto, Portugal—some 900 nautical miles to the south. The liquid sits in the bottle slightly lighter than its predecessor; a pale copper color. This is due to its primary aging: nearly a decade-and-a-half in oversized American oak hogshead barrels. 

The evidence of those additional months spent aging in ruby port casks aren’t seen so much in the hue of the Scotch, but are immediately apparent in the nose and palate. The former is characterized by crisp chardonnay and ripened raspberry fruit. The latter exudes a jammy kind of confection. It fades slowly in each sip, with a clove-evoking warmth. 

“In finishing this whisky, the intention was to allow the influence of port casks to complement the distillery’s character without being overwhelming,” says Dr. Stuart Morrison, master blender for the brand. “The finishing stage adds depth and subtle red fruit notes while preserving the structure and balance that define Oban.”

As is to be expected, the Port Cask release represents a stark departure from the Palo Cortado finish of last year. It’s not just the difference in secondary barrels. Last year’s expression was bottled at cask strength, while this year’s edition is 104.2 proof. It’s still a sturdy ABV, regardless. So although it is noticeably gentler, this year’s release ultimately retains a complex, peppery bite. 

I’m certainly not mad at the newcomer. Nor will most casual fans of the category—or even those who aren’t. As noted in the  2026 Men’s Journal Whiskey Awards, the standard Oban 14 flagship is “the best Scotch whisky for people who don't like Scotch.” There’s something ineffably approachable about this malt, a transportive warmth that wins over many a hardened skeptic. The presence of port only serves to buttress that trait.

You can test out the theory yourself for a suggested retail splurge of $130. But don’t expect these limited-edition bottles to last long. Oban’s success has been measured in centuries, but its special releases often sit on shelves for only a matter of days.