Whereas we’re beginning to see an increasing number of Scotch distillers dabble with virgin oak, Deanston within the Scottish Highlands has had a non-age-stated Virgin Oak providing as a core expression for years now. That bottle clocks in at a good 46.3%, however final fall, they determined to show up the quantity on this one with a cask power launch. Like the usual providing, that is unpeated single malt aged in ex-bourbon casks and completed for 12 months in virgin American oak barrels from the well-known and well-respected Kelvin Cooperage in Kentucky. Let’s test it out.
The nostril showcases heat, cooked cereal notes, candy with darkish brown sugar and a drizzle of honey. Because it opens, fruitier components arrive within the type of baked apples, straightforward on the baking spice, in addition to pear tart and a little bit of buttercream. The palate is massive and candy at cask power, however nonetheless impressively approachable and a contact creamy, with an preliminary volley of banana pudding – full with Nilla Wafers — and a beneficiant marshmallow sweetness. It’s not overly advanced, however these restricted flavors are nonetheless concentrated and expressive, eroding right into a heat, candy end of barley sugar and candied ginger. A slight improve in octane has actually accentuated the distinctive virgin oak dimension of this single malt and made it significantly extra attention-grabbing than the usual providing. Is it price greater than twice what that single malt fetches? I’ll allow you to be the choose.
105 proof.
B+ / $98 / deanstonmalt.com
Deanston Virgin Oak Cask Energy Batch No. 1 (2023)
$98
