Deanston 12 Years Old 2010 Cask #DL 16917 (Old Particular)

The Glasgow bottler Douglas Laing bottled this Deanston, a 12 year old, distilled in 2010, from cask DL 16917, bottled at 48.4%, one of 371 bottles. Deanston is a green, honeyed Highland malt from the Teith valley, the only Scottish distillery to make its own power. Deanston is the only distillery in Scotland to generate all its own power from the river.

Made on River Teith water and condensed in shell and tube condensers, giving the soft, malty Highland spirit. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the honeyed, waxy character to the fore. By the integrating teens congeners fade and esters build, the waxy, honeyed spirit growing rounder. 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. It was mothballed in 1982 and revived in 1990 under Burn Stewart. Active wood frames the fruit without overwhelming the soft Highland spirit.

At a natural 48.4% it is full and waxy. A fruity, waxy sweetness, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Beneath it run green apple, pear and a soft honey. The finish runs long, fruity and warming. This is the soft, waxy malt of Doune.