Deanston 2002 Pinot Noir Cask Finish 17 years old Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky 50%

Pinot Noir is the thin-skinned diva of grapes — hard to grow and harder still to get right. Putting Deanston's honey into a Pinot Noir cask was therefore a gamble that could have gone wrong.

Expert description

Deanston 2002 Pinot Noir Cask Finish 17 years is a Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky finished in Pinot Noir casks and bottled at 50% without chill filtration and without added colouring.

The whisky was distilled in 2002 and had seventeen years before it went into bottle. Pinot Noir does not give the heavy, dark fruit you know from sherry — it contributes acidity, light red berries and a dry tannic edge. On a spirit like Deanston's, already pale and honeyed, the result turns fresher rather than darker.

Tasting notes

Nose

Bright, crisp fruit notes with creamy vanilla and oak, leaving room for a suggestion of green grapes.

Palate

Dry and lightly malted with a tart edge and a rich hint of tannin. The 50% keeps the acidity up without making the whisky sharp.

Finish

Long and tart, with grape acidity, malt and a dry oak note.

Specifications

Name: Deanston 2002 Pinot Noir Cask Finish 17 years Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky 50%
Distillery: Deanston
Region/Country: Highlands Scotland
Type: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 17 years
ABV: 50 %
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Pinot Noir casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 2002
Edition: Pinot Noir Cask Finish
EAN no.: 0502970400288

Flavour profile

Fruity · Tart · Vanilla · Dry · Wine Cask

Investment potential

Medium. A seventeen year old vintage with a cask type rarely used in Scotch whisky. Pinot Noir finishes exist only in very limited numbers.

Did you know?

Pinot Noir has thinner skins than most grapes, which is why the wine turns pale and fresh rather than dark and tannic. That very quality makes the casks interesting in whisky — they add freshness rather than weight, the opposite of what sherry does.

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Frequently asked questions about Deanston 2002 Pinot Noir Cask Finish

What does a Pinot Noir cask do to whisky?

It gives acidity, light red berries and a dry tannic edge rather than the dark sweetness you know from sherry. The whisky turns fresher and tighter instead of heavier.

Why are Pinot Noir casks rarely used?

Because they are hard to source and the effect is subtle. Red wine casks generally are a niche in Scotch whisky, and Pinot Noir is the least used of them.

Is it tart?

There is a clear tart edge, yes, and that is part of the point. It works as a counterweight to Deanston's honeyed sweetness and makes the whisky fresh rather than full.

Should I add water?

At 50% a couple of drops can round off the acidity. Try it neat first, because the balance between sweetness and acidity is tightest at full strength.

Is it peated?

No. Deanston uses no peat at all in its production. For smoke, head towards Islay Whisky.

What defines Deanston?

A soft, honeyed and waxy Highland style from a converted cotton mill by the River Teith. See the rest of the region in our Highland Whisky.