Review #30 Deanston Virgin Oak: Scotch

Score: 7.7 / 10

Distillery: Deanston

Type: Young Highland Single Malt

Deanston first popped on to my radar when I attended WhiskyFest 2018 (San Francisco) and visited their booth during the happy hour. Everything they were pouring during the VIP tasting was delicious. Two years later I was revisiting some single malts from various brands and the Deanston "light bulb" turned on, so I ran out to a local store to find a bottle.

The first one I came across was the Virgin Oak so I picked it up. I didn't review it for quite a while, but casually sipped on it (hard to tell from the picture but 80% is missing) before officially writing down my thoughts. There don't seem to be too many "Young" Highland Single Malts, but I am seeing more pop up now as whiskey completely takes over the spirits world for new tastes and new younger distilleries.

Whisky Review:

Nose: white grapes, Chardonnay, rose petal, creamy vanilla, sugar

Palate: mild thickness and a creamy coating mouthfeel.  Oaky woodiness blends well with vanilla and honey. 

Finish: champagne finish with a decent bit of spice and a hint of cinnamon.  Lightly tannic and short lived.

Score: 7.7

Scale:

S+ Sensational - The Pinnacle (9.5+)

A - AXEceptional (astounding) (9-9.5)

B - bravo (step aBove average) (8-8.9)

C - competent (7-7.9)

D - disappointing (6-6.9)

F - flush it down the toilet (fail) (5.9 below)

Notes: Availability? Common. If you're a scotch virgin, I might wait on the Virgin Oak. It works exactly opposite from well.... you know.... HA! Only because It has a slightly different palette from other common scotches, but a very niche following if you're looking for something new.