Deanston 13 Years Old 2008 Cask #900076 (Signatory)

A 13 year old Deanston from the Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage, distilled in 2008, from cask 900076, bottled at 66.8%, one of 574 bottles. Deanston is a waxy, honeyed Highland malt made in a former mill on the banks of the Teith. It uses 100% Scottish barley and bottles its malt unchillfiltered, with no added colour.

It was made on River Teith water and condensed in shell and tube condensers, the long ferment building a fruity, estery character. An Oloroso cask held it, shaping the honeyed spirit over the years. Integration folds eugenol (clove) and vanillin (vanilla) into the malt, the body softer and waxier. Maturing in the vaulted stone warehouse, the spirit develops slow and steady. It runs an open top mash tun, two wash and two spirit stills of a bulbous shape. It draws water from the River Teith, which also drives the turbine that powers the distillery.

At a natural 66.8% it is full and waxy. Green fruit, honey and a soft spice, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Pear, honey and a creamy malt fill the middle. A honeyed finish ends on apple and a fiery oak spice. This is a Highland single malt of real character.