Deanston 18yr old (Bourbon Cask Finish), 46.3%, Natural Color, Non Chill Filtered.   Deanston is a brand I have been familiar with for about 9 years now. It started while pre-gaming for a concert one night in Philly while visiting one of my good friends.  I stopped on the way and picked up a bottle of Ardbeg oogie and wanted a cheap non peated whisky for the pre-game.  I saw something called “Deanston Virgin Oak” and it was around $25.  I picked it up and read the bottle (non chill filtered, natural color, 46.3% abv) and thought “A craft presentation at $25?”  I’ll take it. And that night started my Deanston journey. I won’t be reviewing the Virgin Oak anytime soon as it’s quite young and spicy but I do remember it being worth the small price tag at the time. Anyway – on to the Deanston 18. Smelling this one is nice – vanilla, green apple, pear, fresh fruits, barley sugar Taste is good -   vanilla, clove, pepper, green apple, honey Finish is decent with the bitter/green apple and spice carrying it out. The Deanston 18 is really nice.  It’s not cheap but I’m not sure that you can find any 18yr old craft whisky at a fair price anymore.  Whatever price you find it at, you are getting a craft single malt with no branding at all which is “Exactly as it should be”.   Overall Grade:  B