Deanston 12 Years Old 2009 Cask #6346 (Alistair Walker Whisky Company)

A Deanston of a 12 year old chosen by the Alistair Walker Whisky Company, distilled in 2009, from cask 6346, bottled at 57.9%, one of 277 bottles. Deanston is a Highland single malt, unchillfiltered and made from Scottish barley near Stirling. It uses 100% Scottish barley and bottles its malt unchillfiltered, with no added colour.

It was mashed in the open top tun and fermented long for a fruity make, building the honeyed Deanston style. Finished in a Sauternes cask, the wood building over the green, waxy fruit. Through integration spirit and wood marry, vanillin settling into a rounded vanilla as ethyl esters lend a riper apple and pear. Maturing in the vaulted stone warehouse, the spirit develops slow and steady. Years in oak round the spirit, the green apple and honey deepening over the wax. River Teith water and a long ferment give the fruity, estery Deanston make.

At 57.9%, undiluted, it is deep and honeyed. Honey, malt and a gentle clove, with honeyed apricot and a candied citrus from the cask. Pear, honey and a creamy malt fill the middle. A long, honeyed finish carries a green apple and a ginger spice. This is Deanston's waxy, fruity Highland style.