Deanston 18 year old Single Highland Malt Whisky 46,3%

Rich local barley, canny local knowledge, soft water from the River Teith and first fill bourbon casks. And then time. A great deal of time.

Expert description

Deanston 18 years is a Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in first fill bourbon casks and bottled at 46.3% without chill filtration and without added colouring.

First fill casks are the ones taking Scotch for the first time after bourbon. The wood is still active and gives vanilla, coconut and a clear sweetness — over eighteen years that becomes a deep, honeyed character without the oak taking over. It is the house signature, sweet honeyed fruit with a long swell, pushed as far as it goes. Deanston has distilled in a converted cotton mill at Doune since 1966.

Tasting notes

Nose

Deep honey and ripe fruit. Baked apple, vanilla and coconut, with a light floral note and malted cereal underneath.

Palate

Full and creamy. Honey, vanilla fudge and ripe fruit, with spice from the oak and a waxy mouthfeel that the absence of filtration preserves.

Finish

Long and warm, with honey, malt and a soft oak spice fading slowly.

Specifications

Name: Deanston 18 years Single Highland Malt Whisky 46,3%
Distillery: Deanston
Region/Country: Highlands Scotland
Type: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 18 years
ABV: 46.3%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: First fill bourbon casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
EAN no.: 5029704218073

Flavour profile

Honeyed · Waxy · Fruity · Creamy · Spiced

Investment potential

Medium. Eighteen year age statements keep getting rarer, and Deanston's 18 year old is the oldest standing release in the house range.

Did you know?

A bourbon cask may only be used once in the United States. That is why thousands of used casks sail to Scotland every year to begin a second — and often third and fourth — life. Without that American rule, Scotch whisky would look completely different.

See our full range of Deanston Whisky

Listen to our podcast:

Frequently asked questions about Deanston 18 years

What does first fill bourbon cask mean?

That the cask takes Scotch for the first time after holding bourbon. The wood is still active and gives more vanilla, coconut and sweetness than a cask used several times.

How does it differ from Deanston 12 years?

Six more years in active oak give more depth, more spice and a clearer waxy texture. The base style of honey and malt is the same, but everything is turned up.

Is it peated?

No. Deanston uses no peat at all in its production. For smoke, head towards Islay Whisky.

Is it worth seeking out?

Eighteen years in first fill wood is an expensive combination, and age statements at that end keep getting rarer. It is the most complete expression the house makes.

Should I add water?

At 46.3% the balance is good as it is, but a couple of drops can open the fruit. Avoid ice, which shuts down the waxy texture.

What food goes with it?

Try it with a honey and apple dessert or a plate of dried fruit and nuts. The sweetness meets the food without the whisky disappearing.