Deanston 12 Years Old (55.6%)

An official release of Deanston, a 12 year old, from 2006, at 55.6%. Deanston is a Highland single malt, unchillfiltered and made from Scottish barley near Stirling. Deanston is the only distillery in Scotland to generate all its own power from the river.

It was made on River Teith water and condensed in shell and tube condensers, for the waxy, honeyed make Deanston is known for. Maturation came in a Madeira cask, layered over the fruity Deanston make. In integration lactones (coconut) and vanillin (vanilla) knit with the spirit, the green apple deepening to honey. Unchillfiltered and at natural colour, it keeps the full waxy body in the glass. The distillery sits on the River Teith near Doune, between Stirling and the Highlands. Its wash is fermented long, for a fruity, estery character. It draws water from the River Teith, which also drives the turbine that powers the distillery.

At cask strength 55.6% it is full bodied. Green apple, honey and a waxy malt, with a nutty, raisined sweetness from the cask. A baked apple and a gentle clove lift it. The finish is rounded, honeyed and gently spiced. This is Deanston, the mill turned distillery on the Teith.