Deanston

‘I was also a keen rugby player, but my nickname as a full-back was “Hole In My Bucket” because I never seemed to catch the ball. Now I’m a man of a certain age, I make my voice heard from the touchline instead. However, regardless of what I’m doing, I can always manage to squeeze a dram in somewhere.’

Distell withholds dividend as Heineken takeover talks persist

26 August, 2021

South African wine and spirits producer Distell has withheld its dividend for 2021 financial year amid ongoing takeover talks with Heineken.

The world’s second largest brewer opened talks with Distell about acquiring “the majority” of the South African company’s business in May.

“The discussions between Heineken and Distell are progressing, but several aspects still need to be considered and ultimately agreed,” said Distell in a statement to the market. “Shareholders should take note, that although discussions have progressed, there is no certainty that the remaining aspects will be successfully resolved and agreed.”

For that reason, it has put its dividend on ice for the time being. If talks with Heineken fail to bear fruit, it will declare a dividend for the year to June 30, 2021.

Distell believes that it will be in a position to provide more detailed information to shareholders on the potential transaction before the end of Q3 2021.

Distell produces Nederburg wine, Amarula cream liqueur, Savanna cider, Klipdrift brandy and whisky brand Bain’s. It also has a Scotch whisky division featuring Bunnahabhain, Deanston and Tobermory.

It reported that revenue for the year to June 30 grew 26% to R28.3 billion ($1.89 billion), while profit increased by more than 500% to R1.9 billion ($130 million). Earnings per share increase by 227%.

For the year to June 30, 2020, no final dividend was declared due to uncer

Big news came from Heineken this week who revealed plans to buy South African wine and spirits maker Distell Group Holdings in a €2.2 billion deal. If approved, the transaction will include an internal restructure of Distell to create two new businesses: Newco and Capevin. The former will combine Distell’s portfolio of spirits, wine, cider and ready-to-drink beverages with Heineken’s Southern Africa and export markets business, which includes Namibia Breweries and South African whisky distillery James Sedgwick. Capevin will include the company’s remaining assets, including its Scotch whisky business, consisting of the Deanston, Tobermory and Bunnahabhain brands. As part of the agreement, Heineken will own a minimum 65% stake in Newco, while Distell’s largest shareholder Remgro will retain control of Capevin. “Together, this partnership has the potential to leverage the strength of Heineken’s global footprint with our leading brands to create a formidable, diverse beverage company for Africa,” says Distell CEO Richard Rushton. “I am excited for what lies ahead as we look to combine our strong and popular brands and highly complementary geographical footprints to create a world class African company in the alcohol beverage sector.” We’re intrigued what effect this move will have on some of our favourite single malts.

“Today marks a major milestone in Distell’s journey. Our resilient business’ stand out performance and the excellence of our people have been recognised by a much-admired Global Brewer in Heineken. The offer is testament to the strength of Distell’s leading position in South Africa and growth in select African markets, alongside the value of our brands and people providing the potential to immediately unlock significant value for our shareholders. Together, this partnership has the potential to leverage the strength of Heineken’s global footprint with our leading brands to create a formidable, diverse beverage company for Africa. We will have a stronger route-tomarket with a unique multi-category portfolio, furthering our sustainable growth trajectory and ability to compete on scale. I am excited for what lies ahead as we look to combine our strong and popular brands and highly complementary geographical footprintsto create a world class African company in the alcohol beverage sector. Our combined entity will grow our local expertise and insights to better serve consumers across the region. Heineken and Distell collectively have family-owned values with strong legacies in South Africa and are committed to continuing to play a strong role in addressing critical social and economic imperatives in the country.”Heineken’s CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board Dolf van den Brink said:

“We are very excited to bring together three strong businesses to create a regional beverage champion, perfectly positioned to capture significant growth opportunities in Southern Africa. Distell is a highly regarded, resilient business with leading brands, a talented workforce and a strong track record of innovation and growth in Africa. With Namibia Breweries Limited, there are exciting opportunities to expand premium beer and cider in Namibia and grow the iconic Windhoek brand beyond its home market. Together we will be able to better serve our consumers and customers through a unique combination of multicategory leading brands and a strengthened route-to-market. The businesses share common values derived from their family heritage, long-term perspectives, entrepreneurial spirit, and respect for people and the planet. We have successfully built our business in Africa over 100 years. Today’s announcement is a vote of confidence in the long-term prospects of South Africa and Namibia and we commit to being a strong partner for growth and to make a positive impact in the communities in which we operate.”

Deanston launches new experimental 15 year old expression finished in tequila casks

Deanston Distillery has unveiled an experimental new tequila cask finished expression.

August 24, 2023

The Deanston 15 Year Old Tequila Cask Finish whisky has been inspired by the Highland regions of Mexico and Scotland, and is a fruity and floral dram which encapsulates the distillery's waxy signature style.

Matured in traditional Oak hogsheads for 13 years before finishing for a further 24 months in hand-selected barrels that once held Agave Tequila, Deanston 15 Year Old Tequila Cask Finish pays tribute to two distinct Highland regions which, despite 5000 miles of geographical separation, share striking similarities including regionality, flavour profile and production methods.

Celebrating the fusion of two worlds, the team say that Deanston’s waxy, soft and honeyed profile perfectly marries with the fruity, floral notes of Mexican Highland tequilas from one of Mexico's five producing regions.

With fresh notes of pineapple, crème brûlée, mixed nuts and light oak on the nose, the limited edition 52.5% ABV tequila cask dram is rich, yet dry on the palate, bursting with flavours of caramelised agave, toasted almonds and baked apples with custard. The finish is long with brown spice and sweet, citrus bursts.

Deanston tequila cask

Julieann Fernandez, master blender at Deanston Distillery said: “Deanston is a highly versatile spirit that is complimented by a myriad of eclectic casks.

"I spend a lot of time exploring how our whisky works with different flavour profiles and discovered its citrusy, waxy character intricately pairs with the fruity, floral tequilas which the Jaliscan Highlands region is famed for.

"The result is an incredibly complex, subtle and balanced dram that is distinctly Deanston.

"Our signature characteristics of zesty orange peel, honey and spice all remain at the forefront, yet the classic Deanston waxy flavour, honeycomb-like texture and creamy mouthfeel is ever present.

Plans approved for Witchburn Distillery - a new Campbeltown whisky distillery

"I anticipated the tequila flavour would be dominant, revealing itself in the primary notes and on the palette, however this isn’t the case.

"It’s much lighter and smoother than you would expect and epitomises our bold, brave and experimental ethos.”

Retailing at £95 for a 70cl bottle, the new expression will be available from specialist retailers and online at the Deanston

The result? A near-perfect balance between spirit and wood. Glen Moray’s fruit-forward house style is undeniably there, but the port imparts a remarkable richness and a much welcomed heft to the texture.

Deanston 15 Year Old Tequila Cask

$102

When the Scotch Whisky Association—the industry’s trade body and de facto regulator—relaxed strict rules on how whisky is matured, reactions were mixed.

The purists decried an assault on tradition. Others welcomed an overdue loosening of excessively tight constraints on a craft which has a history of experimenting.

We sat back and waited to see how distillers would use their new-found freedom.

The result? Ex-tequila cask maturation.

There have been a few of these now, but we’re especially drawn to this release from Highland distillery Deanston. The bottle says the spirit was first aged in traditional oak—we presume ex-bourbon—before a period of finishing in those refill tequila casks.

But, what exactly was in those casks beforehand? Tequila from the Altos (Highlands) of Jalisco, Mexico, which generally crafts floral and fragrant spirits. Deanston’s casks held these tequilas for four to five fills, so the wood is well-seasoned and has plenty to impart on the whisky.

Does it work? Yes and no.

In some ways, this 15 Year Old Tequila Cask whiskey is precisely what the purists feared: a spirit dominated by the tequila influence on the nose and through to the palate and finish.

One really has a hard time finding Deanston’s underlying spirit style here; the sweet grassiness imparted by the tequila all but flattens it.

But yet, it is hugely flavourful. And, as odd as this is, we rather like it.

Is it a Scotch in the conventional sense? Perhaps not.

Is it worth the buy? Undoubtedly