Deanston – 12 Year Old 2012 1st Fill Ruby Port Barrique Best Dram (57.7%)

This Deanston is a 12 year old Highland single malt, distilled on 19 March 2012 and matured for its whole life in a first fill Ruby Port barrique. Best Dram bottled it from a single cask at a natural cask strength of 57.7% ABV, non-chill-filtered and without added colour. The port cask shapes the whole whisky rather than adding a short finish, sitting alongside the malty, lightly waxy style of the distillery. The nose is rich with dark fruit, especially black cherries, plus crème brûlée and syrupy sweetness. On the palate come red berries, port, sweet malt, dark chocolate and a little oak spice. The finish is long and warming, with bitter cocoa and fine wood spice.