Deanston 19 Years Old 1999 Fighting Fish (Jack Wiebers Whisky World)

A 19 year old Deanston from the bottler Jack Wiebers Whisky World, distilled in 1999, bottled at 51.1%, one of 150 bottles. Deanston is a bright, fruity Highland single malt distilled in a Victorian mill at Doune. It runs an open top mash tun, two wash and two spirit stills of a bulbous shape.

It was distilled from unpeated Scottish barley in bulbous copper stills, for a soft, waxy make of green apple and honey. First fill bourbon gave a fuller vanilla and a touch of coconut from the lactones. At oxidative maturity aldehydes lend a nutty edge while ellagitannins add a gentle, drying grip to the honey. The cool, even temperature of the old weaving shed gives a slow, steady maturation. It draws water from the River Teith, which also drives the turbine that powers the distillery. The long ferment and clear wort give a fruity spirit that ages with grace. The mill ran for 180 years before cotton declined and the site became a distillery.

At cask strength 51.1% it is full bodied. Green fruit, honey and a soft spice, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A dried fruit and a soft oak give it depth. The finish is long, waxy and gently spiced. This is Deanston, the mill turned distillery on the Teith.