Popular Deanston on the tasting table today
Deanston Distillery is certainly a popular single malt whisky, if the “Whiskybase Wrapped” is anything to go on. The brand is second only to Springbank as the top rated distillery of 2025, with an average score of 87,87 for all their releases over that year. The top names were also Lagavulin and Bruichladdich. Not a bad group to be amongst, and be honest, would you have predicted Deanston outperforming the likes of Clynelish, Highland Park or Ben Nevis? Numbers don’t lie, do they? In any case, we will explore Deanston some more this year, especially the official releases, which are rather unknown to me. For today, I have two independently bottled specimen!
Deanston 21 years old, 1997 – 2019, bottled at 52,7 % abv by Archives
First things first: In a series called “Butterflies of the USA”, this Deanston by Archives comes in very clean, after 21 years of maturing in hogshead # 1961. The yield was 260 bottles. The release was aimed at the US market.
Upon Sipping: Knowing Archives, they always bottle super clean malt, so I decided to start my session with this one. The nose has an almost vibrating fruitiness speaking for it, not only full on vanilla but also yellow apples, freshly rinsed pears, hints of Haribo candy as well, and some sawdust to top it off. I am writing this while snow is dripping from the solar panels on the roof above me, but this glass of Deanston single malt is invoking the mood of spring. The first sip is very creamy and thick, unleashing a strong wood taste mixed with the vanilla. I can understand why this cask was bottled for the US! It carries all the good things of the bourbon spectrum. In all honesty, that is its strength and at the same time its weakness. Straightforward vanilla delight, at the expense of some complexity. Water does bring out a fantastic waxy profile, that is drenched in sour candy, which is something you do not encounter often with such intensity. Here is where the 21 years of quiet maturation speaks. So yeah, with a drop of water, this Deanston offers its full potential.
Word to the Wise: An excellent bottle for the US market, this Deanston, offering two sides to enjoy. A rather bourbon and vanilla forward side, or a more waxy and complex character with water.
Score: 88 points.
Deanston 11 years old, vintage 2008, bottled at 58 % abv by Cadenhead
First things first: After the bourbon above, let’s try a finish now. This Deanston was distilled in 2008 and matured since April 2018 in an “Ex-Classic Rum Cask”, whatever that means. Bottled in 2019.
Upon Sipping: This needs some time. The high abv might be problematic too. I pick up a whiff of sour creme, but not much else. The taste is infused indeed with the rum, creating a burning sensation on the tongue, and then a bitter hint from an expired avocado. It has become a tad rough with this finish. The creaminess we found in the first Archives sample, is here too, but too subdued to really shine. With water, more to enjoy, with a distinct hint of marzipan hitting the nose. Lovely. The palate has also quieted down with some water, bringing out a more soft side to this Deanston. But there remains a weird off-note towards the finish, this bitterness that is not wood but something that was not properly stored away, and is now leading a life of its own.
Word to the Wise: An interesting variation with mixed results. It has charm, but is not perfect.
Score: 81 points.