Deanston 8 Years Old 2014 Cask #467 (The Vintage Malt Whisky Co Ltd.)

An 8 year old Deanston from the bottler The Vintage Malt Whisky Co Ltd, distilled in 2014, from cask 467, bottled at 54%, one of 348 bottles. Deanston is a Highland single malt, unchillfiltered and made from Scottish barley near Stirling. Deanston is the only distillery in Scotland to generate all its own power from the river.

The spirit was mashed in the open top tun and fermented long for a fruity make, for a soft, waxy make of green apple and honey. Maturation came in a Marsala cask, layered over the fruity Deanston make. In these extractive early years the oak gives vanillin as vanilla and oak lactones as coconut over bright green apple and honey. River Teith water and a long ferment give the fruity, estery Deanston make. It uses 100% Scottish barley and bottles its malt unchillfiltered, with no added colour. It draws water from the River Teith, which also drives the turbine that powers the distillery.

At cask strength 54% it is full bodied. Green fruit, honey and a soft spice, with a raisined, herbal sweetness from the cask. A dried fruit and a soft oak give it depth. The finish is rounded, honeyed and gently spiced. This is a green, honeyed Highland malt with a waxy heart.