Deanstonwhen the piggy bank needs to be beaten again
Recently, I have tasted this lovely bottling from the Southern Highland distillery; Deanston and it has earned a mention, to say the least, as well as a place in my personal whisky collection when the piggy bank needs to be beaten again.
When Deanston was founded back in 1785, it was not as a whisky distillery, but as a weaving mill, or a 'cotton mill' as it was popularly known. In the beginning, the weaving mill had the name Adelphi, but it was later changed to Deanston as we know it, at the beginning of whisky production. Deanston was powered in the very old days by large mill wheels placed in the River Teith. The largest mill wheel was aptly named Hercules, which at the time was by far the largest working mill wheel in Europe. Today, you can enjoy old videos of the Hercules mill wheel in action if you visit Deanston distillery.
Deanston is a distillery full of cozy history and charm, as well as some really solid products. This bottling offered a deliciously complex profile that will certainly not disappoint fans of solid sherry whisky.
In the glass, the whisky appears bold and viscous with a nice natural amber-gold color. Simply put, it looks really inviting.
Thenose is pleasant and complex with notes of: chocolate, peach, red berries, dates, old sawmill and toasted oak.
Thepalette is incredibly powerful, but by no means overwhelming despite the high alcohol level. There are delicious flavors of: orange, chocolate, red grapes and deep olorosso.
The finish is medium long, slightly dry and offers notes of cherry, a little black pepper and a balanced acidity.
It's not my impression that water does this bottling any favors, in fact, I could sense the alcohol much more after a few drops of water. That said, the drops did open up a bit more fruit on the palette.
Quite simply, Deanston 2008 is a solid sherry whisky that hits all the right notes and is highly recommended from here.
