Deanston 15 Years Old 1997 Cask #1343 (Signatory)

The Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage bottled this Deanston, a 15 year old, distilled in 1997, from cask 1343, bottled at 46%, one of 787 bottles. Deanston is a Highland single malt distilled in a converted cotton mill on the River Teith near Doune. It was mothballed in 1982 and revived in 1990 under Burn Stewart.

Run through the bulbous stills with their upward sloping lyne arms, for the waxy, honeyed make Deanston is known for. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, vanillin lending vanilla under the green fruit. Through oxidative maturity esters concentrate, apple and pear turning honeyed over the waxy body. Years in oak round the spirit, the green apple and honey deepening over the wax. The long ferment and clear wort give a fruity spirit that ages with grace. Unchillfiltered and at natural colour, it keeps the full waxy body in the glass. It uses 100% Scottish barley and bottles its malt unchillfiltered, with no added colour.

Reduced to 46%, it is mellow. Honey, malt and a gentle clove, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Soft orchard fruit and honey sit behind the cask. The close is waxy and warming, fruit over a gentle oak. This is a waxy, honeyed Highland single malt.