Today’s article is a double win on this front we reckon, and we’re stoked to have found some people who are (almost ;) )as excited about whisky as we are, and who have put their time and effort into establishing a club that focuses on sharing their knowledge and passion for whisky exploration, by shining a spotlight on overlooked or underrated whiskies and distilleries deserving of a closer look.

The EXPLORE Whisky club is a recently launched initiative dedicated to bringing to light whiskies of a more niche nature, either exclusively for members or at the very least before the general public get their grubby mitts on them. 

This translates to a a monthly(ish) curated whisky selection which has been picked to appeal to both novice and seasoned whisky fiends alike -drawing on the experience of the the people behind the initiative and the access their travels afford them (and now us!).

Founded by Ashley Pini (Founder and Editor of EXPLORE Whisky magazine — highly recommended read BTW!) and Lara Gardner (with an extensive background in the Australian drinks and retail marketing industries), the EXPLORE Whisky Club has already well and truly grabbed our attention.

The latest release is a cracker that we haven’t seen officially in Australia before, from a distillery, Deanston, that so far, sadly, has flown under the radar of most whisky drinkers.

Deanston 15 Year Old Organic Whisky

 Single Malt Scotch Whisky

700ml, 46.3% ABV

Owner: Distell Group

Deanston distillery is a stablemate of the perrenial favourite here at TWL, Bunnahabhain, but unlike the B-word distllery, Deanston is based in the Highlands region on the banks of the River Teith, not far from Stirling (Braveheart fans know what’s up). Originally a cotton mill, Deanston transformed into a whisky distillery in 1966 and has been making whisky and is one of the few remaining distilleries in Scotland that does not utilise any computers or technological shortcuts in its production process, is organic certified (by the Organic Food Federation) and is energy self sufficient thanks to its onsite hydro-power generation (mainly thanks to its past as a cotton mill).

Nose: Fresh cut Granny Smith apple, juicy sweet white grapes, lavosh biscuits, freshly cut wheat, vanilla pods and a hint of brown sugar.

Palate: Delivers on the what was promised in the nose (not as common as one might think) with plenty of light fleshed fruit (Granny Smith apple / Bartlett pear / white grapes) in a mouth warming, waxy wave, underpinned by a crumbly biscuit-y flavour and followed by a pleasing spice, nutmeg and white pepper and a clean oak tannin finish.

Check out EXPLORE Whisky Club to sign up and grab your bottle today — tell them The Whisky List sent you!