Deanston 10 Years Old (Original Collection)

The Campbeltown house Cadenhead bottled this Deanston, a 10 year old, distilled in 2010, bottled at 46%. Deanston is a Highland single malt, the old cotton mill at Doune turned distillery in 1966. Its flagship is the 12 year old, bottled unchillfiltered at 46.3%.

It was distilled slowly for a clean, fruity spirit, the long ferment building a fruity, estery character. Finished in a Madeira cask, the wood building over the green, waxy fruit. By the integrating teens congeners fade and esters build, the waxy, honeyed spirit growing rounder. Refill oak lets the waxy, honeyed Deanston character lead the way. Years in oak round the spirit, the green apple and honey deepening over the wax. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the fruit. A gentle maturation suits the soft make, the honey and wax growing richer with time. The light, fruity make takes cask flavour well while keeping its honey and wax.

Reduced to 46%, it is mellow. Baked apple, honey and a creamy malt, with a nutty, raisined sweetness from the cask. A dried fruit and a soft oak give it depth. The finish is rounded, honeyed and gently spiced. This is Deanston's waxy, fruity Highland style.