Deanston Scotch Single Malt Virgin Oak is a refreshing part of a real Cinderella story.
Deanston Distillery is a real Cinderella story. Deanston distillery started out as a cotton mill, way back in 1785. Soon, the village of Deanston grew around the mill. In 1965 the mill was closed and the ownrderful old buildins—and the people of the town—needed a chance at reinvention. The company saw their Highland location and private stream that still turned four waterwheels that generated electricity and saw the perfect answer. They turned to Whisky production.
Beginning on a shoestring budget, all of their production for decades went to Scotch blends. But in 1990 the distillery was acquired by Burn Stewart—the fine gentlemen behind the resurrection of Bunnahabhain, Ledaig, Tobermory, and more. Under their steady hands, Deanston has risen from obscurity and now produces a range of single-malt offerings, including a fun “Fill Your Own” special edition only available on site.
Let’s give the folks at Deaston a little wiggle-room here. Technically, Deanston Scotch Virgin Oak spends it first few years in ex-bourbon casks, and is “finished” for a few more in virgin oak. It is a way to turn conventional aging theory on its head. And it is bottled nicely at 46.3% with NO chill filtering and NO artificial coloring. As their label proudly states, this is “Exactly as it should be.”
That virgin oak adds a lighter spiciness to this young, single-malt Whisky. And you really get a sense of their commitment to issue a “craft” presentation… everything about it tastes and “feels” natural and “unpackaged” in a good way. And since this is the reemergence of a long-forgotten nameplate, it's a great time to get your own dram now before all the trendy-bendy folks “discover” it for themselves.
The Flavor Spiral™ shows the most common flavors that you'll taste in Deanston Virgin Oak and gives you a chance to have a taste of it before actually tasting it.
We invented Flavor Spiral™ here at Flaviar to get all your senses involved in tasting drinks and, frankly, because we think that classic tasting notes are boring.
Dog Dogson's
Smartass Corner
Single Malt Scotch Whisky is made in Scotland using a pot still distillation process at a single distillery, with malted barley as the only grain ingredient. It must be matured in oak casks in Scotland for at least three years (most Single Malts are matured longer, though).
A sweet and robust flavor with a noticeable ,but not strong, alcohol flavor. Finishes slightly smoky, but with a buttery toffee after taste.
Scott,
Very oaky. Love it!
SCOTT,
For under $40 this is a good value. Serve this to your acquaintances and save the good scotch for your friends. 🥃
Will,
I love this for the money!!
Lindsay,
This has the classic textbook scotch taste. It's a safe buy and great everyday casual table drinking scotch at a nice price.
Michael,
So good for flavor and price
Konstantinos,
very smooth highlander! so smooth I thought it was Irish!!!
Dmytro,
Sweet and fruity
Burton,
Good value scotch with notes of fruit, honey and vanilla. Nice abv.
tapani,
Kannattava ostos!!
Thomas,
This one really surprised me. As a true Scotch lover I didn't have high expectations given the lack of age statement and relatively low price. Don't let either of those dissuade you from trying this one. This is everything a Highland single malt should be. Easy to drink neat so I didn't try with water but one could assume that might open it up a bit more. Great product at this price point.
Daniel,
A bourbon-like finish to a nice easy drinking scotch.
Daniel,
Smooth, Great Highland notes, I like the finish. I now want to try more Deanston.
Michael,
Consumed neat. Not refined, tastes of straight wood and rubbing alcohol.
guest,
Smooth, jentle
Matthew,
Lovely Scotch for the price. The first thing I notice on the nose is a subtle bakers cocoa--paired with caramel and an oaky vanilla. Moving onto the taste, the cocoa carries through. It also has I touch of salty sweetness that makes for a pleasant sipper, but the most unusual--albeit delightful--flavor was a saison-like yeastiness typical of Belgian style beers. Being that this is bottled at a little bit higher alcohol content, I can't help but think it could benefit from a few drops of water, but all-in-all it is a very pleasing dram.
Ian,
A great way to ease yourself into the world of scotch. Not overly smoky (which caused my aversion to scotch). This allowed its sweetness to come through and make it a pleasant whisky. I enjoyed it the most on ice, but was enjoyable served neat as well.
Nate,
Very smooth finish and take the smokiness out of it.
pat,
Very smooth, oak is stronger than the sweetness. Nice for after a hard days work. Sadly I ran out.
Amah,
Great buy. This is an undiscovered gem.
Russell,
Great taste.
guest,
Quaich Bar Tasting Set - nice vanilla taste
James,
Solid for the price. A bit of a bite
Scotty,
Very intense nose with pepper, citrus, and hint of honey toward the end. Intense, thick and spicy taste with almost a lemon pepper and hint of vanilla at the end. A very long and spicy finish that sticks with you and ends on honey, lemon and vanilla notes. Add your usual amount of water. Then add 1/2 to 3/4 that amount. It helps dampen the spice and brings out more of those softer lemon, honey, vanilla and chocolate finishes.
Michael,
Good flavor but a bit sharp... just a bit. Seems like a young batch but unknown age makes it hard to judge. So, just a sharp edge but nice flavor.
Craig,
A good young malt with a nice blend of flavors but a sharp finish. A dash of water mellows this out a lot. Good value purchase.
Brandon,
Very green and cereal flavors. Great deal for the price.
Mr.,
Not bad. A bit of a bite in the finish but good for the price!
A.,
I don't really know why to say. I went to the distillery. It is a scotch that you either LOVE or HATE. I fall into the hate. Nothing specific. Nothing over the top. Just not a flavor of preference. Perhaps it is the Jim Beam & Wild Turkey casks rather than Spanish Sherry.... But there is a bite that doesn't work for me. My boss on the other hand thinks Deanston is PERFECT.
Edward,
Very good flavor ,oaky,but i think it needs to age longer
Thomas,
A bit rough around the edges, but for for the price this maybe the best Single Malt offered here.
Nicholas,
This is a scotch more than worth it's price. I has the bite of a young scotch, but a dash of water really opens up the flavors of the scotch. It is not the greatest scotch you will ever drink, but it might be the greatest scotch at this price.
Marc,
shipping 2 much
Jason,
This is a nice Scotch, however, not mind blowing. It's spicy and vibrant and can have a long finish. It does give hints of vanilla and smooth maltiness, but there is definitely a bite characteristic of younger Scotch; it's not a bad thing!
Veeral,
Tastes like a blend - Johnny Black-ish.
Kegan,
Dash of water makes this lovely whisky smooth. Grainy flavours and a warming flavour not quite a pepper or spice but still a warm note. Good whisky for the price.