Deanston 15 Years Old 1997 The Soul of Scotland (Anam na h-Alba)

A Deanston of a 15 year old chosen by the bottler Anam na h-Alba, distilled in 1997, bottled at 53.9%, one of 135 bottles. Deanston is a Highland single malt distilled in a converted cotton mill on the River Teith near Doune. The distillery sits on the River Teith near Doune, between Stirling and the Highlands.

Mashed in the open top tun and fermented long for a fruity make, giving the soft, malty Highland spirit. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the honeyed, waxy character to the fore. At oxidative maturity vanillin and lactones are fully expressed, the malt deepening over its waxy weight. Long ageing turns the fresh fruit towards honey, dried fruit and a soft spice. Its old weaving shed, once full of looms, is now a cool stone warehouse for the casks. The clean, fruity spirit shows the cask clearly, vanilla and honey to the fore. Deanston is the only distillery in Scotland to generate all its own power from the river.

At cask strength 53.9% it is full bodied. A waxy, malty sweetness, with a soft vanilla from the oak. The texture is soft and waxy, the fruit lifted by vanilla. The close is waxy and warming, fruit over a gentle oak. This is a Highland single malt of real character.