Deanston Kentucky Cask Matured Highland Single Malt Whisky 40%

Where the River Teith runs past Doune, a cotton mill once kept 1,500 people busy. The same water now powers a distillery, and the casks come from Kentucky. The label promises a chew of butter toffee and a slug of American cream soda. It delivers.

Expert description

Deanston Kentucky Cask Matured is a Highland Single Malt Whisky matured in 1st fill and 2nd fill bourbon casks from Kentucky and bottled at 40%.

This is the distillery's own bottling, with no age statement. The casks were hand-picked by master blender Julieann Fernandez, and the aim is an easygoing, sweet malt that works neat, over ice or in a drink.

The casks once held Kentucky bourbon. A first refill gives the most vanilla and caramel, while second fill casks are gentler. Together they add sweetness and soft spice without letting the oak take over.

The whisky is soft-filtered. The label itself warns that it may turn slightly cloudy over ice, and explains that the lighter filtration leaves in flavour a harsher process would strip out.

Deanston sits in the southern Highlands on the River Teith. The building is a cotton mill from 1785, turned into a distillery in the 1960s, and the distillery draws its own power from the river. The barley is malted without peat, so don't go looking for smoke.

Tasting notes

Nose

Honeyed barley and almonds, a little soft fruit and a hint of crème brûlée.

Palate

Butter toffee first, then something close to American cream soda. Sweet oak and a light touch of cinnamon underneath.

Finish

Toasted oak spice, ending on sweet barley.

Specifications

Name: Deanston Kentucky Cask Matured
Distillery: Deanston
Region/Country: Highland, Scotland
Type: Highland Single Malt Whisky
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: 1st fill and 2nd fill bourbon casks from Kentucky
Natural colour: Yes
EAN no.: 5029704220137

Flavour profile

Honeyed · Caramel · Vanilla · Lightly spiced · Unpeated

Did you know?

The label carries signatures from the people who work at the distillery. Each one sits beside a job title, such as manager, mashman, stillman and chargehand, and every name was signed by hand.

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Frequently asked questions about Deanston Kentucky Cask Matured

What does Deanston Kentucky Cask Matured taste like?

Sweet and soft, with honey, butter toffee and vanilla. The nose brings honeyed barley and almonds, the palate adds caramel, cream soda and a hint of cinnamon, and the finish is toasted oak and sweet barley.

What does Kentucky Cask Matured mean?

It means the whisky has rested in bourbon casks from Kentucky. There is no bourbon in the bottle, only Scotch single malt that has borrowed casks left by American bourbon. Here they are a mix of 1st fill and 2nd fill casks, which adds vanilla and caramel.

Can Deanston Kentucky Cask Matured turn cloudy with ice?

Yes, it can. The label warns that it may go slightly cloudy over ice, and that is not a fault. Deanston filters gently, so more flavour stays in the bottle instead of being filtered out.

Is Deanston Kentucky Cask Matured peated?

No. Deanston uses barley malted without peat, so there is no smoke in the glass. The sweetness comes from the bourbon casks.

How should you drink Deanston Kentucky Cask Matured?

However you like. The producer says it works neat, over ice or mixed. Try it neat first, then in an Old Fashioned or a highball, where it can stand in for bourbon.

Which glass suits Deanston Kentucky Cask Matured?

A tulip-shaped glass such as a Glencairn holds the honey and almond aromas best. See our selection of whisky glasses.

What kind of distillery is Deanston?

A distillery in an old cotton mill from 1785, on the River Teith outside Doune in Perthshire. The river supplies both water and power. For more, have a look at our blog post about Deanston.