Deanston Virgin Oak

Score: 45

Deanston Virgin Oak is a bold, youthful Highland single malt that showcases the distillery’s flair for extracting character from fresh wood. Finished in brand-new American oak casks from Kentucky, it’s bottled at 46.3% ABV, non-chill filtered, and naturally colored—Deanston’s signature hallmarks of integrity. The nose is a curious mix of strawberries, wood pulp, and cellar dust, evolving into vanilla, honey, and green pepper. On the palate, it’s surprisingly thick, with ginger snaps, candied fruits, and a nutty waxiness that hints at fresh walnut. Barrel char and toffee round out the profile, giving it a rustic, energetic edge. The finish is medium in length, with clove, citrus zest, and a puff of oak-driven smoke. In the club’s second tasting of 2021, Virgin Oak placed 3rd out of 6, a solid mid-pack showing that reflected both its youthful vibrancy and its polarizing charm. While it didn’t dethrone the top contenders, it earned respect for its texture, freshness, and unapologetic boldness. Some found its oak-forward profile a bit aggressive, others praised its candied spice and creamy mouthfeel. It’s a whisky that doesn’t aim to be subtle, it’s here to make a statement. Virgin Oak may not wear the crown, but it’s the kind of bottle that stirs debate, especially when poured alongside its older sibling, the 12 year old. In club lore, it remains a spirited underdog with a punchy personality.