Deanston Distillery Launches Rare Orange Wine Cask-Finished 17-Year-Old Single Malt in the U.S.

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Deanstone Orange 17 Year on the table
Home » Bourbon Blog » Bourbon and Whiskey News » Deanston Distillery Launches Rare Orange Wine Cask-Finished 17-Year-Old Single Malt in the U.S.

Limited-Edition Highland Whisky Finished in Vino de Naranja Casks Delivers Bright Citrus, Honeyed Depth, and Spanish-Inspired Character

Deanston, Scotland — July 21, 2026 — Deanston Distillery is bringing a new expression of flavor exploration to the United States with the launch of Deanston Orange Wine Cask Finish 17 Year Old, a limited-edition Highland single malt finished in rare Vino de Naranja casks from Andalucía, Spain.

The release continues Deanston’s ongoing exploration of unconventional cask maturation, following the success of its tequila cask finish and other experimental releases that highlight the versatility of its naturally rich Highland spirit.

Matured for 15 years in ex-Bourbon barrels before spending an additional two years in Vino de Naranja casks sourced from southern Spain, the whisky layers bright citrus, stone fruit, and warm spice over Deanston’s full-bodied, honeyed Highland character. Unlike contemporary skin-contact orange wines, Vino de Naranja is a traditional fortified wine infused with bitter orange peel during production, creating a distinctive aromatic intensity that enhances citrus character while preserving the integrity of the underlying spirit.

At the heart of this release is Master Blender Julieann Fernandez, one of the youngest master blenders in the industry, whose personal connection to Andalucía played a defining role in shaping the whisky’s direction. With family roots in the Jaén region of rural southern Spain and formative years spent in the country, Fernandez drew inspiration from the warmth, generosity, and expressive culinary culture of the region — influences that guided both the cask selection and the final flavor profile.

“This release is deeply personal for me,” said Julieann Fernandez, Master Blender at Deanston Distillery. “I spent part of my childhood surrounded by the sights, smells, and flavors of Andalucía, and those memories have always stayed with me. Working with Vino de Naranja casks allowed us to bring that influence into Deanston’s spirit in a very natural way. The result is bright citrus and stone fruit layered over our rich Highland character, with a real sense of warmth and generosity in the whisky.”

Deanston continues to build its reputation for hands-on whisky-making and thoughtful innovation, using cask experimentation not as a departure from tradition, but as a way to expand the expression of its spirit. Each release is guided by balance, ensuring bold flavor development never overwhelms the distillery’s core identity.

Bottled at 53.6% ABV (107.2 Proof), the whisky opens with aromas of orange zest, marmalade, and dried apricot, followed by flavors of blood orange, honey, toasted almonds, ginger, and baking spice. The finish is long and warming, with lingering citrus peel and soft oak.

Tasting Notes

Deanston Orange Wine Cask Finish 17 Year Old 53.6% ALC/VOL, 107.2 Proof, 700 ML — MSRP $131.99

  • Color: Deep Gold
  • Nose: Orange zest, marmalade, dried apricot, honey, toasted almonds, soft malt sweetness
  • Palate: Citrus oils, blood orange, stone fruit, orange blossom honey, ginger, nutmeg, malted biscuit
  • Finish: Bright citrus peel, gentle oak spice, lingering warmth

Only 7,000 bottles are available worldwide, with limited allocations arriving in the United States beginning this month at select retailers.

For more information, visit www.deanstonmalt.com or follow Deanston on Facebook and Instagram.

About Deanston Distillery

In 1785, the Adelphi Cotton Mill was established, employing nearly 1,500 people at its peak. With the trade boom of the 1800s came expansion, a self-issued currency, and — in 1830 — one of the largest waterwheels in Europe, later replaced by the electrical turbines still in use today. When the cotton mill closed in 1965, entrepreneur Brodie Hepburn and his partners saw new potential in the building, lade, and weaving shed. Deanston Distillery opened in 1966, and the first bottle of Deanston whisky was produced in 1974. Learn more at www.deanstonmalt.com.

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