Deanston Virgin Oak

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.