Deanston Organic – Distillery Exclusive 20 Years Old 2002

This official Deanston, a 20 year old, from 2002, at 49.7%, 2826 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 made on River Teith water and condensed in shell and tube condensers, for a clean, fruity spirit with a waxy edge. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, a soft vanilla beneath the honey. Through oxidative maturity esters concentrate, apple and pear turning honeyed over the waxy body. River Teith water and a long ferment give the fruity, estery Deanston make. It was mothballed in 1982 and revived in 1990 under Burn Stewart. Active wood frames the fruit without overwhelming the soft Highland spirit. The waxy texture is the Deanston signature, carried through the years in cask. Refill oak lets the waxy, honeyed Deanston character lead the way.

At a hearty 49.7% it carries real weight. Green apple, honey and a waxy malt, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Soft orchard fruit and honey sit behind the cask. The finish is rounded, honeyed and gently spiced. This is Deanston, the mill turned distillery on the Teith.