Scottish Highland single malt Deanston has unveiled special Chinese New Year packaging for its Virgin Oak expression in Malaysia, marking the Year of the Horse with distinctive artwork that bridges Scottish heritage and festive tradition.

Single & Available Whisky, the Malaysian distributor, announced the limited edition release on 6 January 2026, featuring a specially designed external sleeve that takes inspiration from The Kelpies – Scotland’s world-famous equine sculptures that have become landmarks of contemporary Scottish art and engineering.

The packaging centres on these remarkable 30-metre-high, 300-tonne stainless steel horse head sculptures, located between the Scottish towns of Falkirk and Grangemouth. The Kelpies symbolise strength, energy, craftsmanship, and movement – qualities that resonate with the characteristics traditionally associated with the horse in Chinese zodiac culture, including vitality, success, and progress.

Rendered in bold, flowing lines and festive hues, the artwork captures what the distillery describes as “the dynamic spirit of both the monument and the season,” creating a premium gift-ready presentation that frames the award-winning whisky within a culturally significant design created especially for Chinese New Year 2026.

Deanston Virgin Oak has developed a loyal following internationally, recognised for its quality, accessible flavour profile, and competitive positioning in the single malt market. The whisky’s distinctive character comes from its carefully planned maturation process at the Deanston Distillery in the Scottish Highlands.

The single malt begins its journey in ex-bourbon barrels before undergoing a 9 to 12-month finishing period in Virgin American Oak barrels – a maturation approach that the distillery notes delivers notable depth and complexity to the final spirit.

According to official tasting notes, the whisky presents “heady virgin oak, bursting with lemon zest and sweet barley sugar, with delicious notes of apple and nutmeg” on the nose. The palate delivers “a delightful sweetness, evoking memories of candied fruits and vanilla toffee, balanced with heather honey,” while the finish offers “a satisfying light spice, with a rewarding burst of honeyed malt and sweet oakiness.”

Bottled at 46.3% ABV, the whisky is non-chill filtered and contains natural colour, reflecting the distillery’s commitment to traditional whisky-making practices and authenticity.

The expression has earned recognition at prestigious international spirits competitions, including awards from the International Wine & Spirits Competition and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Most recently, Deanston Virgin Oak scored 98 points at the International Wine & Spirits Competition 2025, reinforcing its standing among Highland single malts in its category.

Deanston Distillery’s story is as distinctive as its whisky. Established in 1966 in Doune, Perthshire, the distillery occupies what was once a Victorian cotton mill, giving it an industrial heritage that sets it apart from many traditional Scottish distilleries.

The facility harnesses hydroelectric power from the River Teith, continuing a legacy of water power that dates back to its textile manufacturing days. This sustainable approach to energy, combined with its unusual architectural heritage, has shaped Deanston’s identity as a producer that, in its own words, has been “politely challenging convention since 1966.”

The distillery is known for producing Highland single malts with what it describes as a “signature waxy texture” – a distinctive mouthfeel characteristic that differentiates its whiskies in the market. According to the distillery’s philosophy, “everything about Deanston is just a little different. Not for the sake of it, but because it believes different makes better.”

The Deanston Virgin Oak Chinese New Year 2026 limited packaging is available now at selected retailers throughout Malaysia and online at http://singleandavailable.com.my, with an official retail price of RM257.

The festive presentation aims to serve both as a gift option for whisky enthusiasts and as a culturally meaningful choice for Lunar New Year celebrations, combining symbolic significance, Scottish heritage, and an internationally recognised single malt in a single package.

Single & Available Whisky distributes a portfolio of premium spirits in Malaysia, including brands such as Springbank, Kilchoman, Glenfarclas, Buffalo Trace, Bunnahabhain, and Arran, among others.

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Photo credits: Deanston and the author’s own