Deanston 12 Year Old Sherry Oak is a rich, limited-release single malt that showcases the distillery’s Highland craftsmanship with a touch of Spanish elegance. Distilled in the historic Deanston Distillery, once an 18th-century cotton mill on the banks of the River Teith, this whisky reflects the brand’s signature natural character, unpeated, unfiltered, and completely hand-crafted. The finishing in premium Oloroso sherry casks transforms the classic Deanston sweetness into something deeper, darker, and irresistibly complex.

Product Details:

Brand: Deanston | Category: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky | ABV: 50% | Origin: Scotland (Highlands) | Volume: 700ml

Tasting Profile:

Nose: Enticing aromas of dried fruit, chocolate, and honeyed oak. Notes of raisins, orange peel, and warm spice mingle with a touch of malt sweetness.
Palate: Full-bodied and velvety. Layers of rich sherry, caramelized nuts, and dark toffee unfold, balanced by cinnamon, cocoa, and hints of baked apple. The texture is smooth yet powerful, revealing Deanston’s natural malt depth.
Finish: Long, warming, and elegant with lingering notes of dried fig, spice, and oak-infused sweetness.

Production Details:

This 12 Year Old expression begins life in bourbon casks, developing Deanston’s signature honeyed profile, before being transferred to hand-selected Oloroso sherry casks from Jerez, Spain. The finishing adds rich fruit and spice complexity, perfectly complementing the distillery’s naturally sweet malt character. Bottled at a robust 50% ABV, non-chill filtered and with no added color, this whisky delivers full authenticity and texture.

Perfect For:

A superb dram for fans of sherried Highland whiskies. Perfect neat, with a few drops of water to open the fruit and spice layers. Excellent as an after-dinner pour, paired with dark chocolate, roasted nuts, or mature cheese.

Expert Notes:

Critics have described Deanston 12 Sherry Oak as “a triumph of balance, honeyed Highland sweetness meets deep Oloroso richness.” It highlights Deanston’s ability to combine natural purity with the indulgence of sherry maturation, making it a standout in the distillery’s range.

Customer Reviews:

“Beautiful balance of fruit and spice, bold yet elegant.”   James R.
“The sherry cask adds real depth without losing Deanston’s brightness.”   Fiona L.
“Full-bodied, warming, and dangerously easy to enjoy.”   Martin C.

Interesting Fact:

Deanston’s warehouses are naturally temperature controlled by the River Teith, which flows beside the distillery. This unique setting ensures slow, consistent maturation, ideal for developing the whisky’s smooth, rounded profile.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve neat in a Glencairn glass to appreciate the depth of its sherry and malt interplay. Add a few drops of still water to enhance fruit and spice notes. Avoid ice to preserve its natural viscosity and warmth.

Distillery Background:

Founded in 1966 in a converted 18th-century cotton mill, Deanston Distillery is one of the few distilleries that operates entirely on renewable hydroelectric power. Using 100% Scottish-grown barley and traditional hand-crafted methods, Deanston produces whiskies known for their natural sweetness, purity, and honesty. The 12 Year Old Sherry Oak is a testament to this philosophy, a whisky that embodies tradition, sustainability, and unfiltered Highland character.