Deanston 12 Years Old 2009 Cask #CM279 (The House of MacDuff)

From the bottler The House of MacDuff, a 12 year old Deanston, distilled in 2009, from cask CM279, bottled at 65.2%, one of 284 bottles. Deanston is a Highland single malt, the old cotton mill at Doune turned distillery in 1966. Its old weaving shed, once full of looms, is now a cool stone warehouse for the casks.

Distilled from unpeated Scottish barley in bulbous copper stills, for a clean, fruity spirit with a waxy edge. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the honeyed, waxy character to the fore. In integration lactones (coconut) and vanillin (vanilla) knit with the spirit, the green apple deepening to honey. A gentle maturation suits the soft make, the honey and wax growing richer with time. The cool, even temperature of the old weaving shed gives a slow, steady maturation. Its wash is fermented long, for a fruity, estery character.

At cask strength 65.2% it is full bodied. Green apple, honey and a waxy malt, with a soft vanilla from the oak. The mouthfeel is buttery and waxy, the fruit on a honeyed body. The finish is long, waxy and gently spiced. This is a Highland single malt of real character.