Deanston 13 Years Old 2008 Cask #900078 (Signatory)

This Deanston was bottled by the Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage, a 13 year old, distilled in 2008, from cask 900078, bottled at 66.6%, one of 583 bottles. Deanston is a soft, malty Highland single malt from the old Adelphi cotton mill at Doune. Its flagship is the 12 year old, bottled unchillfiltered at 46.3%.

It was run through the bulbous stills with their upward sloping lyne arms, for the waxy, honeyed make Deanston is known for. Finished in an Oloroso 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. The light, fruity make takes cask flavour well while keeping its honey and wax. It draws water from the River Teith, which also drives the turbine that powers the distillery. Refill oak lets the waxy, honeyed Deanston character lead the way.

At cask strength 66.6% it is full bodied. Green apple, honey and a waxy malt, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Beneath it run green apple, pear and a soft honey. Apple, honey and a soft oak spice see out a long finish. This is Deanston's waxy, fruity Highland style.