Deanston Mill 5 Years Old UD Kings Import (UD – bottler)

A 5 year old Deanston from an undisclosed bottler, bottled at 40%. Deanston is a Highland single malt known for its waxy texture and unchillfiltered bottlings. The distillery sits on the River Teith near Doune, between Stirling and the Highlands.

Mashed in the open top tun and fermented long for a fruity make, the long ferment building a fruity, estery character. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the gentle American oak letting the waxy malt lead. In these extractive early years the oak gives vanillin as vanilla and oak lactones as coconut over bright green apple and honey. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the fruit. Active wood frames the fruit without overwhelming the soft Highland spirit. Maturing in the vaulted stone warehouse, the spirit develops slow and steady. It was mothballed in 1982 and revived in 1990 under Burn Stewart.

At an approachable 40% it is soft and waxy. Apple, pear and a soft honey, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A baked apple and a gentle clove lift it. The finish is rounded, honeyed and gently spiced. This is a fruity, unchillfiltered Highland single malt.