The second Deanston in Distell 2019 Collection is a 2002 vintage aged for 16 years. It spent 14 years in re-charred ex-bourbon casks on (filled on 18th December 2002), then transferred into organic Oloroso casks (supplied by Robles, the only fully organic sherry producer) on 5th May 2016 for additional 2 years or so.

Total of 528 (or 3492) bottles were made for this limited edition.

Deanston 2002 16 Year Old Organic Oloroso Cask Finish (50.6%, €113.99)

Nose: Soft, strong malt and cereals notes, with bread dough and croissant, honey. Then sweet red dried berries, cinnamon and nutmeg, chocolate, creamy and soft. The sherry impact isn’t overpowering here but the balance between the notes is exquisite.

Palate: Starts off with a quick hit of spice, then a big chocolaty wave of milk chocolate and 60% dark chocolate. Then dried berries, ripe peaches, tropical fruits, cereals, gentle spices, nutmeg and cinnamon, white pepper, again very creamy, polished and silky – no rough edges whatsoever.

Finish: Medium length, soft, gentle spices, oak spice honeyed fruit (including tropical fruits) and fresh berries.

Thoughts: What a delicious whisky! It’s been a while since a middle-aged whisky surprised me that way (Good way. yes?). It continues the road the 12 Fino finish has started with lovely, creamy and soft malt and honey notes along with the cask impact and this time it’s deeper and complex with a perfect balance between the distillery characteristics and the multitude sherry notes of fruits, spices and chocolate. A bottle you should buy (or at least try).