Deanston Virgin Oak, a new addition to the portfolio, has been finished in virgin oak casks sourced from a family-owned cooperage in Bardstown, Kentucky. Unlike most, these casks have not been used for any other alcohol so the Deanston malt picks up more of the oak flavour in maturation. Everything else about the process is kept close to home, with only local barley and yeast used with water from the River Teith which runs alongside the distillery.

"Stately aroma reminds me of butter- cream candies; further air contact reveals deeper scents of melon, white raisins, dried yellow plums and fudge. Entry is honey-sweet, ripe and fruity (dried yellow fruits, banana, pineapple, pear); midpalate is long, satiny, honeyed, eggy, fruity and balanced. Concludes on notes of Sherry, apricot, white raisins and light toffee." 90-95 pts.