Two bottled in a row from the same distillery makes it tricky for someone writing about these advent releases daily! What were they thinking.
The Virgin Oak Cask Strength version is a limited edition bottle of the core range “Virgin Oak” Release. However, like the name suggests bottled at cask strength (58.5%) and not the usual Deanston bottling strength of 46.8%. For those extra credentials you are paying an extra £20 a bottle (£58%).
I do hope I think this but I am not hoping out much hope. The use of Virgin Oak is a recent development and one which I have rarely if ever liked bottled which include it. I enjoy the tannic intensity of a full bodied red wine but the astringent tannins of virgin oak I think are over powering and take a nice whisky and make it 1 dimensional.
Could this Deanston be the first one I like though?
Tasting Notes
| Colour | yellow/orange |
| Nose | stewed fruits, vanilla, burnt sugar and soft spiciness and peppery goodness |
| Palate | With water the texture is still thick with good legs. The dash of water calms the high strength and opens up a mix of peaches and cream, oak spice, pine needles and some nettles |
| Finish | Long spicy finish. Honey, cinnamon spice and a lemon zest |
Where Can I Buy?
Master of Malt – Deanston Virgin Oak Limited Edition
Final Thoughts
This is a winner. The first virgin oak finished whisky I actually like and I think its because of the expert cask management to balance strong flavours with house character. It’s almost like a Scotch Whisky and a Bourbon got frisky and had a baby.
Malted 
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