Deanston 17 Years Orange Wine Cask Finish – a Highland whisky with sun, citrus and character
Deanston has never been a distillery that followed the crowd. Since 1966, when Brodie Hepburn transformed an abandoned cotton mill into a modern Highland distillery, Deanston has insisted on going its own way. It is about craftsmanship, courage, and letting flavour be the compass rather than convention.
This 17‑year‑old Orange Wine Cask Finish is one of the most distinctive chapters in that story. The whisky begins its life in classic ex‑bourbon casks, where it develops the honeyed depth, waxy texture and rounded natural sweetness Deanston is known for over 15 years. Then the story takes a turn: the whisky is moved to rare Vino de Naranja casks, a Spanish specialty made from sun‑dried orange peel and matured in a traditional solera system.
It is a cask finish rarely seen in the whisky world – and the result is as unique as it sounds.
The aroma opens with an explosion of freshly grated orange peel, marmalade and dried apricots, immediately setting the scene for something different. Beneath the citrus lies honey, toasted almonds and soft malt sweetness, while floral notes and a touch of chamomile add elegance and lightness. It is a nose that is fresh, warm and deeply inviting.
On the palate you are met by citrus oils and blood orange, moving into stone fruit, sultanas and a core of malty biscuit. The influence of the orange wine is clear but never dominant – it adds a vinous depth that ties the flavours together with notes of orange blossom honey, ginger, mild nutmeg and gentle wood spice.
It is a whisky that is both fresh and full‑bodied, both classic and experimental – and one that shows how far Deanston can go without losing its identity.
The finish is zesty, clean and persistent, with plenty of orange peel and a discreet touch of oak. A finish that lingers and invites another sip.
Distillery: Deanston Orange Wine Cask Finish
Age: 17 years, including 2 years in rare Vino de Naranja casks
Type: Single Highland Malt Whisky
Alcohol: 53.6%
70 cl
Other: 7000 bottles worldwide – Whisky.dk has exclusive rights in Denmark
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