The Still & The VineSchool of Wine & Spirits
Deanston 20 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Scotch WhiskyIssue 172

Deanston 20 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Deanston · Deanston Distillery

$200110.6 proof20 YearHighland, Scotland
Deanston's unhurried approach — no peat, no chill-filtration, no color added — yields a 20-year-old whisky where the barley's voice remains remarkably clear despite two decades in oak. This is a masterclass in what happens when distillery character is allowed to mature without interference. Worth seeking out for anyone who values transparency in whisky.

Kit Aromas

Tasting Notes

Nose

Rich honey and dried fruit dominate, with layers of vanilla, toasted almond, and a subtle buttery quality. Gentle woody notes add structure without aggression.

Palate

Full-bodied and creamy, with waves of malt sweetness giving way to dried apricot, cocoa, and clove spice. The cask strength delivery amplifies the distillery's characteristically malty backbone, and there's a lovely earthy undertone beneath the fruit.

Finish

Long and warming, with lingering honey, dark chocolate, and a gentle oak dryness. The malt character persists beautifully.

Specifications
Region
Highland
Cask Type
Ex-bourbon barrels
Peat Level (PPM)
Unpeated
Distillation
Pot still, double distilled
Maturation
Ex-bourbon casks, 20 years minimum
Chill-Filtered
Non-chill filtered, no color added
Serve & Pair

Food Pairing

A tart layered with dark chocolate ganache and dried figs on a shortbread crust, finished with flaky Maldon salt — the cocoa and fruit in the whisky find perfect mirrors in the dessert.

The Story

Housed in a converted cotton mill on the banks of the River Teith in Perthshire, Deanston Distillery uses open-top mash tuns and draws its water from the river itself, producing unpeated spirit that foregrounds barley above all else.

Train These Aromas
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