Deanston 18 Year Cognac Finish

Deanston began it’s life as the Adelphi Cotton Mill in 1785 but after the mill had run its course along the River Teith, the site became a distillery in 1966. Though founded by Brodie Hepburn in the village of Deanston, the current team is made up of master blender Julieann Fernandez, Distillery Manager Murray Kerr and Visitor Center Manager Belen Catalan. This team has crafted a set of offerings ranging from No Age Statements to distillery exclusives. This Deanston 18 Year Cognac Finish takes the concept of finishing too added lengths. After maturing for 12 years in ex-bourbon barrels, this whisky sat another 6 years in ex-cognac casks. Cognac, as a reminder, is named after a commune in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of

Comments: Really well balanced. No water needed.

Adam – I love how summery the Deanston 18 feels, a quintessential highland malt to me. The nose opens with fruits and flowers, a light sweetness that speaks of nature at the height of her powers and subtlety. Really fun to think back to the Deanston Virgin Oak and 12 Year offerings and see how far the spirit has come with the added years. The palate is slightly dry florals but still that tinge of sweetness I assume is from the cask influence. There is a delightful smoke to go with the tannins on the finish, perhaps closer to tobacco than something from an actual fire. Still, even that is light and balanced. There are no weak notes here, no rough edges. A highland delight.

Henry – Soft floral perfume on the nose, a gentle tropical breeze of starfruit and warm leaves. As gentle as the nose was, the palate is as bold. Fresh dried peat on the nose which quickly pivots to the sweet notes of cognac tempered with an oaky tannic note.The finish sticks to the tongue, astringent and not at all shy.

Ben – This is big. It surrounds your tongue and hits you with flavor. There’s a sweetness that hangs around on my tongue but is a little tart. It’s all over the place.

Bill – Under the wintergreen on the nose, I am getting apricot and grassy notes. Palate is big vanilla and light fruit, creamy and a little playful, in the right ways. 

Mike – I really like it. It is complex but I wish it were more complex, if that’s a thing? It’s good, I like it, I enjoy the flavors. The flavor has an essence of fruit.

Evelyn – The palate is floral, like a jasmine tea.

Sam – The palate is sour like yogurt can be sour. Tastes like a freshly opened packge of Nilla Wafers.