Deanston 9 Years Old 2009 Cask #1639 (The Vintage Malt Whisky Co Ltd.)

The bottler The Vintage Malt Whisky Co Ltd bottled this Deanston, a 9 year old, distilled in 2009, from cask 1639, bottled at 54%, one of 300 bottles. Deanston is a Highland single malt distilled in a converted cotton mill on the River Teith near Doune. Its flagship is the 12 year old, bottled unchillfiltered at 46.3%.

It was made on River Teith water and condensed in shell and tube condensers, the long ferment building a fruity, estery character. Maturation came in a Port cask, layered over the fruity Deanston make. At an extractive age eugenol lends a clove note and lactones a coconut, the spirit fresh, green and waxy. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the fruit. The waxy texture is the Deanston signature, carried through the years in cask. Active wood frames the fruit without overwhelming the soft Highland spirit.

At a hearty 54% it carries real weight. Apple, pear and a soft honey, with red berry, plum and a dry spice from the cask. The texture is soft and waxy, the fruit lifted by vanilla. The finish runs long, fruity and warming. This is the cotton mill malt of the River Teith.