I have been off the grid for a bit. Vacation and family obligations have been a distraction; some pleasant and some woeful. This particular Saturday finds me hanging back sitting on a couch with the wife by my side. I brought this Deveron to our beach house vacation and just had some cursory tastings. Now, I figured, is the time to go in depth. A Highlander bottled at a modest 40%. “When billows break and haar ghosts in, then haste ye home or some bit warm, unwind with toasted grain and apples, seaborne spice; calm from the storm” quoth the bottle. A straw colored pour which reveals bright floral, fruity and sweet nose of dampened hay after a September rain. A subdued sweetness slowly and increasingly works its way in with vanilla custard, honeyed oatmeal. Add a mixture of apples and pears with a sprinkle of cinnamon and pecans. A smooth and velvety arrival within a medium light body. The sweetness is the show but it doesn’t dominate the spotlight. Caramel with confectioners sugar and honey. All that sweetness is tempered with a zing of fresh ginger or white pepper and cinnamon spiciness. Again, the orchard fruits are always present. As it starts to fade into the finish, a maritime brininess and a tinge of barrel char emerges. The palate is left with wood spices and tannins. The char sticks to the tongue, briefly. A bit small amount of bitterness comes through but quickly dissipates. The finish is sparse and what remains is a woody dryness. A solid offering that is inoffensive with a nice bouquet and a simple and sweet palate with a subtle spiciness. A summer sipper or a breakfast in a bottle. Enjoyable simplicity...with a nice beach glassed bottle. [$55][85/100][Tasted: 8/17/19]