Deanston 11 Years Old 2011 Cask #800035 (Best Dram)

From the bottler Best Dram, an 11 year old Deanston, distilled in 2011, from cask 800035, bottled at 58.3%, one of 220 bottles. Deanston is a Highland malt made in a vaulted stone mill, waxy and malty in style. The site was the Adelphi cotton mill, built in 1785 by Sir Richard Arkwright and turned to whisky in 1965.

Made on River Teith water and condensed in shell and tube condensers, building the honeyed Deanston style. Maturation came in a Pedro Ximenez cask, layered over the fruity Deanston make. By the integrating teens congeners fade and esters build, the waxy, honeyed spirit growing rounder. The light, fruity make takes cask flavour well while keeping its honey and wax. Refill oak lets the waxy, honeyed Deanston character lead the way. A gentle maturation suits the soft make, the honey and wax growing richer with time. Its wash is fermented long, for a fruity, estery character.

At its natural 58.3% it is concentrated. Green fruit, honey and a soft spice, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. The texture is soft and waxy, the fruit lifted by vanilla. The finish is long, waxy and gently spiced. This is a green, honeyed Highland malt with a waxy heart.