Some whisky releases begin with a flavour idea. Others start with a cask discovery.
For Julieann Fernandez, Master Blender at Deanston Distillery, the inspiration behind our 17 Year Old Orange Wine Cask Finish came from something much more personal: a lifelong connection to southern Spain.
The experimental release finishes Deanston’s Highland single malt in rare Vino de Naranja casks - a fortified wine traditionally produced in Andalucía, made by infusing wine with dried orange peel and ageing it slowly using a solera system (you can discover more about Orange Wine and how is made in our blog ‘What Is Orange Wine?’).
But long before the casks arrived at the distillery, the region had already played a role in Julieann’s life.
We sat down with her to talk about Andalucía, orange groves, and the story behind one of Deanston’s most distinctive experimental releases.
What is your personal connection to Andalucía?
Andalucía has always been part of my story. My parents met in Andalucía, and I still have family living out there so I spent a lot of time there growing up and it’s a place that stays with you - the light, the warmth, the food, the scent of citrus in the air.
Some of my happiest memories are wrapped up in the warmth, generosity and flavours of that part of the world – the sights, the smell and the taste of the orange trees which surround the area. Those experiences have stayed with me and shaped how I think about flavour and whisky.
It’s very different from the Scottish Highlands, but there’s a richness to the culture that I’ve always felt drawn to. Markets full of fresh produce, old wine traditions, and a real sense of history in the way things are made.
Those memories never really leave you.
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WHAT STANDS OUT MOST WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE REGION?
The oranges. Andalucía is famous for them, and they’re everywhere - especially the bitter Seville oranges that grow in the streets and courtyards. They’re not the sweet oranges people think of for eating, but the aroma is incredible. When the fruit is ripening, the air fills with this intense citrus scent that’s both sharp and sweet. Those smells stick with you.
Did those memories influence the 17 Year Old Orange Wine Cask Finish limited edition release?
Absolutely. As soon as our cask supplier got in touch with me about having Vino de Naranja casks available, I knew we had to make it work for our experimental series. I kept coming back to those citrus aromas that I know so well and wondering how they might work with Deanston’s spirit.
Those bitter Andalucian oranges - sweet, sharp and unmistakable - are aromas I grew up with. Pairing them with Deanston's honeyed waxiness felt natural, like bringing two parts of my story together. It genuinely felt like bringing a piece of my own heritage into our spirit for the first time.
What makes the Vino De Naranja Casks so unusual?
Vino de Naranja is a traditional fortified wine from Andalucía that’s made in a really distinctive way. Instead of fermenting oranges, winemakers take a base wine and infuse it with dried bitter orange peel. The wine is then aged slowly using a solera system, where older and younger wines are layered over time.
The result is something incredibly complex - citrusy, slightly bitter, with deep sweetness and oxidative richness. When those wines mature in oak, the casks absorb all of that character.
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WHY DID YOU FEEL THOSE CASKS WOULD WORK WITH DEANSTON SPIRIT?
Deanston has a spirit that can stand up to bold maturation. It’s naturally waxy and textured, which means it doesn’t disappear when you introduce unusual cask influences. Instead, it works with them.
The citrus brightness from the Vino de Naranja casks lifts the whisky, while the waxy texture keeps everything balanced and rounded. It’s a combination that felt instinctively right
HOW DOES THE MATURATION PROCESS WORK FOR THIS ORANGE WINE RELEASE?
The whisky begins its life like many of our expressions do - ageing for 15 years in ex-bourbon casks. That’s where it develops the honeyed sweetness and creamy texture that Deanston is known for.
After that, it spends two further years finishing in Vino de Naranja casks. During that time the spirit slowly picks up the citrus and sun-soaked fruit notes from the oak.
Whisky will tell you when it’s ready, and the two years in Orange Wine casks were the perfect sweet spot for this release to balance the citrus bitterness of the orange wine with Deanston’s honeyed profile. It’s not about overpowering the whisky. It’s about layering flavour.
WHAT FLAVOURS SHOULD PEOPLE EXPECT WHEN THEY TRY IT?
You’ll notice the citrus influence straight away - bright orange peel and fresh zest. But there’s also honey, toasted nuts and dried fruit that come through from the cask influence and long maturation.
The texture is classic Deanston: rich, rounded and waxy. It’s a whisky that feels both familiar and slightly unexpected at the same time.
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WHAT DOES THIS RELEASE MEAN TO YOU PERSONALLY?
For me, it’s about connection. Whisky is often about place - the water, the climate, the distillery itself. But sometimes the inspiration comes from somewhere further afield.
This release brings together two places that have shaped my story: the Highlands of Scotland and the sun-drenched landscapes of Andalucía. Seeing those influences come together in a single dram is incredibly special.
ONE FINAL QUESTION - HOW SHOULD PEOPLE ENJOY IT?
However they like. It works beautifully neat, but it’s also a whisky that opens up with a little water. The citrus notes really come alive when you give it some air. It also works beautifully as a Spritz. It’s light, refreshing and transports you to the Andalucían sun even when we don’t have the weather.
And of course, it’s the kind of dram that pairs well with good food and good company - which feels very true to the spirit of Andalucía.
Deanston 17 Year Old Orange Wine Cask Finish
53.6% ABV | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Colour
A single malt born in the Highlands, inspired by Andalucía - where bright citrus, sun-soaked fruit and Deanston’s signature waxy character come together in one distinctive dram.
