Deanston 18 review

Deanston are another distillery that, in my opinion, have ridden a wave of popularity over the last few years. But what is it about them that warrants this attention? Is it the affordability? The natural presentation? Hold on...those two alone answer my first question!
Enjoy.
Deanston: deanstonmalt.com/
Music: Third Eyes: / @bobbyrenz
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Single Malt: Whisk(e)y made by one distillery using malted barley.
Single Grain: Whisk(e)y made by one distillery using one or a selection of grains (usually corn, wheat, rye, etc.)
Blended Malt: Whisk(e)y made by blending single malts from more than one distillery.
Blended Grain: Whisk(e)y made by blending single grains from more than one distillery.
Blended Scotch: Whisky made by blending single malt and single grain (whiskies) from one or more distilleries.
N.A.S. Non age stated whisky. No age on bottle.
U.S. Proof: Proof is 2 x ABV. Example…100 Proof = 50% ABV.
Imperial/British Proof: ABV is 4/7 of Proof. Example…100 Proof = 57.1% ABV.
#thewhiskeynovice #Wednesdaywhiskyreview #18s

[@mamuka1977]

Barley sugar it's like almost the signature of Deanston distillery, I really enjoy old and new one, for money you pay you can't beat it. Just an absolutely lovely drum. I still think my favorite and one of my most favorite whiskeys is Deanston 20-year-old, but everything they make it's really really good, I hope they are not going to screw it up))) thank you for great review.

[@WhiskeyNovice]

Cheers buddy. Time will tell but, I think Deanston know they're on a winner here.

[@hellswidd4628]

Another fine review, not had the older style bottle but enjoyed the recent one very much. Have another bottle to open at some point. Cheers Jim.

[@WhiskeyNovice]

Cheers Hellen. At the price it's put out at...I'd dare say I'll add the newer bottling to the cabinet at some point.

[@kresimirjelcic576]

I love this whisky!!!!

[@WhiskeyNovice]

Cheers Kresimir.

[@maltymission]

‘Time to look another 18 year old… (catches glimpse of the missus off-screen)scotch whisky.’ Thanks for this one Jim. As everyone says the more recent bottlings are the way to go and my local still has these old ones (and at some €100 at that), I’ve never actually pulled the trigger on this, as the old 12 yo didn’t sit so well with me. Now you have me on the fence my good man. Dammit Ingram!

[@WhiskeyNovice]

🤣🤣🤣 Yeah I get the impression that the newer bottling is the preffered expression but, never one to go with the crowd...😄 The palate wants what the palate wants I guess 😉 Cheers Menno.

[@drewfromaz7740]

Decided to check and see if I have tried this whisky and found it was included in an Advent Calendar I bought. The sample I tried was probably a victim of high expectations on my part. Sometimes I just feel like an ex-bourbon cask matured whisky and it sounds like this one is worthy of another chance. Cheers!

[@WhiskeyNovice]

Cheers Drew. I'd be like you (and a lot of others I imagine) in that, I too just want something unfussy that ex-bourbon brings, from time to time. It's finding one where it works is the problem. It almost would seem (from the layman's point of view) that a single maturation, in one wood would be easier but...refining flavours must be incredibly difficult in that scenario. This is definately a good example of one that works.

[@moelassus]

I really enjoy this bottle as well as the new one. It's a lovely whisky but as you mentioned it's not a shouty whisky. Regarding the old bottle vs the new bottle. On the old bottle I detect a funk on the nose that the new bottle doesn't have. I'm not sure where that comes from but there is definitely a difference in the nose. On the palate I fail to detect much of a difference.

[@WhiskeyNovice]

Cheers Mike. I've yet to be in the position to actually try the two side by side but, I could see where you're coming from. The older one just seemed to have a bit more character to me.

[@davidowen2834]

One of Roy’s favourite’s . Haven’t had the 18 but for the price it sounds pretty decent. Good review Jim, enjoyed it. Slàinte.

[@WhiskeyNovice]

Cheers David. Slàinte buddy.

[@GregsWhiskyGuide]

I have to say I havent connected yet with that Deanston 18 yo...the 15 yo Organic was already quite expensive for me here (around + 100 €) so that one is even more (120 €). It did like the previous Arran 10 yo before the current rebranding, but for some reason (maybe coz I already have 9 bottlings ?) including some negative feedback (you seem to confirm here) it appears that its profile (& colour) has significatively changed here (the one I had was remarkably balanced, no bitterness, etc) I won't jump on this one. Cheers !

[@WhiskeyNovice]

Cheers Greg. I think both of these whiskies are good examples of those that split opinion. Sometimes it's easy to go with the crowd but, one of best things about whisky for me is its objectivity. If we all liked the same thing...it would be a boring world.

[@GregsWhiskyGuide]

@@WhiskeyNovice Sure, and there'll be less whisky for each one, lol (the well will tary, especially for craft distilleries with a small production output)...That said, the "objectivity" or 'integrity" debate is interesting & I believe more complicated that it seems...(I already did a video on the second point which I'm not even sure to have covered all the possible aspects, but what I'm sure of is that I went further than some famous people I won't mention pretend to go, and same for the nas question &, well, never mind if it sounds pretentious). Objectivity for me doesn't exist, but "Experience" on one hand & "Personal Tastes" on the other hand too do help understand things. The real deal will be then I think to try to describe the more neutrally possible the qualities & flaws of a whisky & then maybe put it into perspective to see who it could please, and this is exactly what you do in your "if you like this, then try this !" 😉

[@swaggerbauer]

for Arran 10 i also think that is damn good whisky but on the other hand it is not tooo interesting. it gets a lot of praise, rightfully so, but a whisky to explore and to discover new things with is something different.

[@langtoun8235]

Great honest review as always. Unfortunately I’ve yet to find a Deanston worth drinking, even at it’s low price for an 18 it’s still not great value.

[@WhiskeyNovice]

Cheers.

[@DonnerPassWhisky]

About 4 years ago was looking through a online store and saw they were clearing this out for $62 US. Even at that time $125 was a common price for this where I am. Went ahead and ordered two to keep shipping costs reasonable. While it's a well made quality Whisky I did not connect with it that well. Not long after I got a Glen Moray 18 that is 47.2% NCF and full maturation in 1st fill bourbon casks. At that time it was $90 so also a good value. Did several side by sides with them and the GM came out on top consistently. Think the Glen Moray 18 is still at the lower end of the price scale for 18 year olds so may be something to try if you get a chance ? The 18 is unlike everything below it in the Glen Moray line that is 40% and chill filtered so it's presented for us at 47.2% NCF and was lighter in color than the Deanston so even tho not stated may be non colored. Cheers Jim

[@WhiskeyNovice]

Yet to try the GM 18 Tim but, sounds great. I'll add it to the list. No doubt I'll do another series on 18s sooner rather than later so, the GM would be a good inclusion. Cheers buddy.

[@peathead4450]

Decent dram deserves decent review. For me not the best 18yo out there, but certainly not the worst. And about the comparison: totally agree. Slàinte mhath.

[@WhiskeyNovice]

🙏 thank you Frank. Slàinte my friend.

[@premier1975]

good intro, funny.

[@stevelandwonder4760]

The new 18 has regularly been under £50 at that big warehouse beginning with an A. Just sayin'.