@Slainte-Mhath on an unrelated question—— we were thinking of either Tromso or Finnish Lapland next December——I’ll write you an email to ask your opinion of one vs other

@PBMichiganWolverine I haven't had a Balvenie in recent years, and with prices skyrocketing it is not likely I will review one anytime soon.

@cascode Glengoyne has some similarities, but it's also a slightly dry profile that reminds me of Old Pulteney (without the maritime notes). What I am missing with Deanston is a distinct character, they do this finish and that finish, but it is not very recognizable.

@cascode @Slainte-Mhath i guess when I think of Balvenie, I think of mild heather-y. This comes across as the same. And you’re right @Slainte-Mhath …the price is no longer much less than Balvenie. It used to, but the last time I had a Deanston was maybe 10 yr ago

@PBMichiganWolverine Similar to Balvenie? Hmm, that's not a comment that would ever have occurred to me. I don't know what I'd compare Deanston to - something equally rough and industrial like Tullibardine or Glengoyne, perhaps? Balvenie is waaaaay softer than any of those.

@PBMichiganWolverine Cheaper than Balvenie? Not sure, at least Deanston is an integrity bottling, and it has more to offer than the Balvenie 12.

@cascode Deanston 12 was ralfy's whisky of the year 2020, and several reviewers on Youtube hold it in high regard. I tasted several of their cask finishes but they did not leave much of an impression, I simply don't connect with the brand. However, I don't regret buying a bottle, it was pretty affordable, but I'm not going to replace it anytime soon.

I always thought of Deanston as cheaper Balvenie.

@Slainte-Mhath Deanston is lauded by a couple of high-profile Youtube influencers but its whiskies have seldom appealed to me. I visited in 2017 and was not at all impresseed with anything we tasted and I've not gone out of my way to try much since. I have had the occasional taste at festivals etc but only a couple of very old expressions have seemed interesting. I remember this 12 year old as definitely rough and industrial, but that was 7 years ago so maybe it has changed.

Additional comment: My stance on Deanston has not changed significantly, it's still not up there with Bunnahabhain and Tobermory. That said, I think that Deanston 12 qualifies as decent everyday dram.

First reviewed in 08/2017 (brown label): Some Scottish distilleries are fairly average at best. However, given a craft presentation, the intrinsic quality of a previously overlooked Single Malt can improve significantly. Deanston 12 is a good example. Floral honey, breakfast cereals and whiffs of fresh oak characterize the nose. It’s soft, fresh and almost Irish with lots of 'green' notes. The taste unfolds strong and biscuity with vanilla fudge, sour citrus and hints of cough syrup. Gingery sweet, mildly bitter and to the point in its lasting finish, this Cinderella malt proves to be highly underestimated. RATING: 3.5/5.0 stars ≙ 84 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE