Deanston 18 Years Old 2000 Cask #92701 (Ian Macleod)

From the bottler Ian Macleod, an 18 year old Deanston, distilled in 2000, from cask 92701, bottled at 50%, one of 208 bottles. Deanston is a honeyed, waxy Highland malt distilled beside the River Teith since 1966. The distillery sits on the River Teith near Doune, between Stirling and the Highlands.

The spirit was worked through a long ferment and the bulbous stills for a waxy, fruity make, the long ferment building a fruity, estery character. Finished in a Red Wine cask, the wood building over the green, waxy fruit. Into oxidative maturity, slow air ingress builds fruity ethyl esters (apple and pear) and a honeyed depth over the wax. Years in oak round the spirit, the green apple and honey deepening over the wax. Long ageing turns the fresh fruit towards honey, dried fruit and a soft spice. Active wood frames the fruit without overwhelming the soft Highland spirit.

At cask strength 50% it is full bodied. Green fruit, honey and a soft spice, with red berry and a dry spice from the cask. A baked apple and a gentle clove lift it. A honeyed finish ends on apple and a fiery oak spice. This is a Highland single malt of real character.