Deanston 14 Years Old ChWh (Chorlton Whisky)

The bottler Chorlton Whisky bottled this Deanston, a 14 year old, bottled at 52.6%, one of 234 bottles. Deanston is a Highland malt made in a vaulted stone mill, waxy and malty in style. Its flagship is the 12 year old, bottled unchillfiltered at 46.3%.

Made on River Teith water and condensed in shell and tube condensers, giving the soft, malty Highland spirit. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, vanillin lending vanilla under the green fruit. Integration folds eugenol (clove) and vanillin (vanilla) into the malt, the body softer and waxier. The waxy texture is the Deanston signature, carried through the years in cask. Long ageing turns the fresh fruit towards honey, dried fruit and a soft spice. The site was the Adelphi cotton mill, built in 1785 by Sir Richard Arkwright and turned to whisky in 1965. Its old weaving shed, once full of looms, is now a cool stone warehouse for the casks.

At a hearty 52.6% it carries real weight. Apple, pear and a soft honey, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Soft orchard fruit and honey sit behind the cask. The finish runs long, fruity and warming. This is a waxy, honeyed Highland single malt.