We evaluate Deanston 14 12 months Outdated, one other expression from Deanston matured in virgin oak casks. Uncommon? On this trade, very. Let’s examine the way it tastes.
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Rob is a web based whisky commentator, podcaster, “whisky mechanic” and a proud Yorkshireman.
Through the years, it appears increasingly more distilleries and whisky followers are coming round to virgin oak, or new oak casks. Deanston has been experimenting with these casks for some time now, and this natural 14yo is, on paper, one other winner.
Gentle, pure. Chardonnay wine.
Heat and candy. Mulled pear cider, fizzy beer barley, creamy pannacotta, heat vanilla custard, freshly baked sponge cake enveloped by cedar wooden smoke. It’s such as you’ve climbed inside an outdated oak mash tun with a head stuffed with cloves and cinnamon.
Shiny and sharp citrus notes with an attractive, thick mouthfeel. Lemon sherbets, pear drops, fizzy and effervescent. On the second sip, the palate turns into a lot lighter. The citrus notes evolve into baked inexperienced apples, and that heat, candy dryness reappears from the nostril. Candied citrus peels, marmalade and ginger snaps.
A light-weight herbaceousness, heat honey and thyme tea, stirred with a stick of cinnamon and angostura bitters. Extremely morish and a really participating dram.
We’ve all heard the consensus that virgin oak casks overwhelm the spirit, they usually have to be handled with care. In most situations, that is true, however we must always not concern it. This whisky is way extra complicated than I’d anticipated it to be. The natural barley spirit pairs superbly with the oak end and is a real testomony to how Deanston is a real chameleon whisky. I hope we see extra aged virgin oak casks sooner or later, as whisky followers and whisky makers start to find that candy spot.
Editor’s Be aware: This whiskey was both purchased as a pattern by The Whiskey Wash or offered to us as a evaluate pattern by the celebration behind it. Per our editorial insurance policies, this under no circumstances influenced the end result of this evaluate.
