Deanston Decennary

A 1977-2006 Deanston, a distillery bottling, from 1977, at 46.3%, 1400 bottles in all. Deanston is a Highland single malt, unchillfiltered and made from Scottish barley near Stirling. Its flagship is the 12 year old, bottled unchillfiltered at 46.3%.

It was distilled slowly for a clean, fruity spirit, for a soft, waxy make of green apple and honey. Maturation came in a Pedro Ximenez cask, layered over the fruity Deanston make. In its ethereal years the malt is waxy and oxidative, faded esters and a touch of sotolon (maple, dried fig). The long ferment and clear wort give a fruity spirit that ages with grace. Its old weaving shed, once full of looms, is now a cool stone warehouse for the casks. The distillery sits on the River Teith near Doune, between Stirling and the Highlands. The light, fruity make takes cask flavour well while keeping its honey and wax.

At 46.3% it is fruity, honeyed and waxy. A fruity, waxy sweetness, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. A dried fruit and a soft oak give it depth. The finish is long, waxy and gently spiced. This is a green, honeyed Highland malt with a waxy heart.