Deanston 14 Years Old 2008 Cask #900079 (Signatory)

This Deanston was bottled by the Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage, a 14 year old, distilled in 2008, from cask 900079, bottled at 46%. Deanston is a waxy, honeyed Highland malt made in a former mill on the banks of the Teith. The distillery sits on the River Teith near Doune, between Stirling and the Highlands.

The spirit was mashed in the open top tun and fermented long for a fruity make, building the honeyed Deanston style. An Oloroso cask held it, shaping the honeyed spirit over the years. By the integrating teens congeners fade and esters build, the waxy, honeyed spirit growing rounder. River Teith water and a long ferment give the fruity, estery Deanston make. The cool, even temperature of the old weaving shed gives a slow, steady maturation. Active wood frames the fruit without overwhelming the soft Highland spirit. A gentle maturation suits the soft make, the honey and wax growing richer with time.

Bottled at 46%, it is rounded. Honey, malt and a gentle clove, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Soft orchard fruit and honey sit behind the cask. Apple, honey and a soft oak spice see out a long finish. This is Deanston, the mill turned distillery on the Teith.