Deanston 15 Year Old (The Maltman Bottling, Cask No. 8)
Cask Info: Matured in ex-Bourbon casks.
ABV | Chill Filtration | Natural Color | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
52.5% | No | Yes | €115 |
Nose: Gently sweet with lots of fruity notes. Apple, orange, banana, and cantaloupe. The sweetness reminds me of chocolate chip cookies, with marzipan and coconut flakes in the back. Water reveals hints of peppermint and scone.
Palate: Sweet on arrival with a silky mouthfeel. Honey, fig jam, dried dates, and red apple. A gentle burn kicks in after a few seconds, followed by oak and slight espresso bitterness. A splash of water reduces the burn significantly, making the dram sweeter (more barley sugar) and even more approachable.
Finish: Long and warming, with some baking spices. It gets a bit dry toward the end.
Final Thought: This is the first Deanston that truly hits the spot for me! I have two original bottling releases – the 12 Year Old and the 14 Year Old Organic. They are not bad whiskies, but I was never really satisfied. They feel unfinished to me. Something is missing, and I couldn’t articulate…until now. This 15-year-old Deanston from The Maltman is the missing piece of the puzzle! It still carries that Deanston character – malty, easy-drinking, and medium-bodied. But it tastes rounder and offers a lot more depth. I could say, this is the best whisky discovery I’ve made in the first half of 2021!
Girl with Cask Strength Score: 90/100.
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