"The Longest Run"

20 June 2025

60s

No such thing as a free drink.

The arrival of a fax heralds an epic journey in this entertaining commercial for Oban whisky which serves as a warning not to diss the stuff on social media. Well, perhaps not exactly a warning as the consequences are hardly dire but it nonetheless demonstrates there will be a reckoning if you're uninclined to give the drinks a go.

Director Tom Spears, aided by some fantastic pacing provided by editor Eve Ashwell, manages to make the mad dash that occupies most of the run time both a comic and dramatic affair. As the protagonist tears through the beautiful Scottish countryside, the epicness of his voyage is made clear and it also handily reminds us of the drink's heritage. Single malt whiskies are, after all, more than an alcoholic beverage... there are a bottomless well of Scottish history, and every brand in this busy market has to make an appeal to this aspect of things. Here it is done beautifully, because it is done with humour.

UK

Whisky