ralfy review 1004 - Deanston 12yo @46.3%vol: (2023)

/ ralfy . This is my Patreon channel, for videos released 24 hours early and with an extra weekly 'Update' video. Every month there is also a 'BothyLive' 90 minute live-stream from the bothy with a Q&A.
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[@MyScottyboy1]

On Deanston's website they do say "All our single malts are non chill-filtered with natural colour". But yes it should be on the label. Nice one ralfy.

[@Malt454]

Producers will always tell you the things that they want you to know and avoid talking about the things that they don't want to discuss... like age with some expressions and not with others. Then people will defend whatever level of information that they choose to part with, even if the choice is obviously arbitrary. Any call for "transparency" that tolerates NAS is simply a joke.

[@elijacobs2529]

What about deanston kentucky ? It must be chill filtered at 40%

[@petterstromfelt4640]

Was just gonna write this, they’re lying.

[@gerhardschote8000]

Of there is colour in the Whisky, it must be stand on the bottle in Germany In case of Deanston, there is nothing on the bottle

[@brentkasl6510]

@@elijacobs2529 that seems low if chill filtered

[@brianboru8858]

Deanston 12 is the first whisky I ever tasted years back. It will always have a place in my heart. Beautiful stuff.

[@JimmyLeg]

This is one of those bottles that truly improves as the bottle level goes down. If you can stretch it out over 6 months to a year, you'll be rewarded.

[@jamescostigan3721]

I began my whisky journey just last year and Deanston was an early favorite and remains so, thanks to seeing your review where you had named it your Whisky of the Year. I owe the discovery of a lot of my favorites to your in-depth reviews - Balblair, Glencadam 10, and Arran 10, to name but a few. Thanks, Malt Mate!

[@allanhegney3835]

The Deanston 18 & the Glencadam 15 are also excellent & rising in price rapidly as peeps figure this out. The Bablair 15 is more sherried than the 12 if you ike that sort of thing. The Arran 18 aint worth the extra notes, the step up is better than the 10 granted but the 10 has much more value to flavour ratio. All in my own opinion of course :)

[@WhiskyMechanic]

12:43 "250ml pour" - easy does it ralfy! 🤣

[@utoobia]

So you Brits aren’t perfect with the metric system either, are you?

[@elijacobs2529]

3 drams and the bottles gone 😂

[@peatbull3426]

​@@elijacobs2529you made my day. 😅😅😅👍😁🥂🙋🏻‍♂️

[@arnoldandujar4893]

Thanks Ralfy for that philosophical line.

[@iancrombie8862]

Think he meant 25 MLS!

[@nickandsue1]

Great all rounder at a sensible price, I have a 12 and 18 in the cupboard alongside their 17 port cask. The distillery also my stop off whenever I travel from Tyneside to Oban, as the cafe is really nice, plus I can have a look in the shop This and the tobermory 12 are two of the best you can get around the 40 quid mark

[@paulraymond8392]

I still haven't tried the Deanston 12.It'll definitely be on my short list. The only deasnton I've tried is the deanston 2008 Bordeaux... liked it so much I bought a few for the stash. Cheers Ralfy!

[@Whiskyanalyse]

On my German 12yo there is „nothing added but hard work and determination“. 😉

[@howardfoster4393]

Quite simply Deanston is one of the best. The 12, 18 and Virgin Oak just seem to get better every time I try them. In my opinion they do not get enough plaudits. Cheers Ralfy..

[@bodie37]

Even the Deanston Kentucky Cask matured is a lovely whisky. £23 and it’s an excellent whisky for those starting their whisky journey. Only a few pounds more than some questionable blends. The distillery is one of the best, no heirs and graces. Love the reviews, keep them coming

[@PC-xj2mw]

Thank you Ralfy. I have a bottle of Deanston 12 in my collection for couple yrs. I think I will open it up and try tonight..

[@sandrofazzolari8833]

Thanks for the E150 cask lining info dear Ralfy. Deanston 12 is delicious and fair valued . They would do themselves more justice if they just wrote the natural colour on the label. Indeed I also enjoy seeing your lovely cats 🐈, so sweet. Thanks 🙏 and kindest regards, S.

[@billycoutts7437]

What do you think of the supermarket priced bottle, deanston virgin oak? Down to 27 a bottle, thought worth a try again the 12yo

[@wellbbq]

Ralfy, it's so good to see you and this video is right on time.. Single Malts here in the Boston area have gone to the roof making drinking unenjoyable, and expensive out of reach. I'll live vicariously through your reviews. lol

[@Brian-gh8el]

Shop around. It’s $55 at a large liquor store 20 minutes North of Boston.

[@samueld1]

Deanston 12 is not colored. I've seen batches on the shelves next to eachother where one is many shades darker than the other. They mention it on the website. Thanks for the content.

[@nutyyyy]

I've also noticed it in minis at our shop, you can get quite a bit of variation in Deanston.

[@rbmelk7083]

Hi Ralfy! I love your channel. I’m on my third bottle of this 12 (the first of which I bought in February). All three had different shades of color (the first was very light, the second was very dark, and the one I just got is in the middle). This suggests (but doesn’t prove) that the color is natural. Also, here in the States (at least in Michigan) this Scotch is sold without the tube.

[@3UZFE]

Early on in my whiskey journey, this dram was an absolute stand out to me, to this day it's still up there as one of my absolute favorites. It has everything you could want, no pomp and well priced.

[@martinbeen]

True, cats are fantastic!

[@frankf5426]

Finished my 4th bottle a month ago and thinking about another one already. Gets better as the bottle get emptier. Let it sit for 20 minutes drink neat, spectacular. A drop a water and bam almost perfect unpeated scotch!! Ideal every day drinker. (but don't drink every day offcourse)

[@canalwhiskywhiskey]

I like this one, it's a real budget.

[@ADSCP]

I also heard good thinks about the Virgin Oak. It’s certainly not very common to see a single malt finished in virgin oak.

[@deccyboi4218]

it won best scotch whisky in iwsc a year ago beating loads of 18+ year old whisky haha

[@tobiasfunke2372]

ive almost finished a bottle myself, and im not impressed, best i can say is, its ok, just seems a bit on the young side. As a comparison, at the same price point here in nz, the arran american oak was, imo, better, and definitely tasted older to my palate

[@bwanadik]

One of my favorite single malts, great taste and value. Currently £37.50 at Amazon for a 12Y.O. single malt @ 46.3% by volume. What's not to like?

[@jillleon55555]

Thank you my excentric Whisky Professor 😄❤.

[@DavidUKesb]

Are you going to review your Glenlivet Ralfy? Good to meet you once again in the Good Spirits Co the day before GWF.

[@werners5191]

The comment that it is not for beginners is valuable information. Three bottles into my whisky journey, I bought the Classic Laddie, and so far, I am regretting it.

[@peatbull3426]

Classic Laddie is a lovely dram. Just give it time in a glass and add little water. Its 50%. 👍😁🥂🙋🏻‍♂️

[@danielboulter931]

You are bang on, Deanston 12 and the incredible 18 both have Session!

[@Rob-rg4oe]

If they used E150, wouldn't they be obliged to add it to the list of ingredients?

[@Sidmacher]

Great to hear your rendition of ‘Scarborough Fair’ at 17:17. 👌👍😉

[@davet7185]

I just had a look at my old bottle tube and yes....no mention of colour Ralfy. That said, the D12 is still a staple in my cabinet and always a signature style and flavour that brings me oodles of pleasure. p.s. Billy's looking in great fettle....must be all those treats eh? 😺👍.

[@larsandersson9336]

Their website says "All our single malts are non-chill filtered and with natural colour."! I loved the 15 year Organic. The 12 is in the cupboard, might try it around Christmas, but there are others to choose from. So many whiskies so little time! How many do you have open in parallell? For me it is 7. Glen Scotia Double Cask, Kingsbarns Dream to Dram, Loch Lomond Storm and Fire, Four Roses Small Batch, Craigellachie 13, JP Wiser 27 and Arran Sherry Cask The Bodega! Best of 2023 Hazelburn 10 followed by Kilkerran Bourbon CS and JP Wiser 27 in a tie for 2nd

[@joseaguilera4542]

It is not cheap in Australia, going for AU $110

[@justincase5124]

Nothing is cheap in Australia anymore........

[@sundowner62james69]

@@justincase5124 True , I'm drinking this from a mini!

[@djenkins2692]

love the cat

[@604jroe]

Did we miss 1003 Extras? I know there have been a lot of other extra videos, but I don't think we've seen 1003 Extras, and now we're on 1004. I think you were going to talk about Irish Whiskey (after the Blue Spot review). I was really looking forward to it!

[@brian6x]

You're right!

[@nekronambassador3352]

Coming from vodka and cognac land I decided I wanted to migrate over to single malts. I started watching you only about a week and a half ago Ralfy and you are a wealth of knowledge. You have helped me with a ton of purchases since I started watching. At first i started with Glenlivet 15 because of the limousin casks due to the cognac familiarity. It was nice but I quickly started noticing it wasn't what I really wanted. I bought this Deanston today and it is amazing. I also bought some Machir Bay and Balblair 15. It puts Glenlivet to shame and I have tried the 12, 15 and 18.

[@andypike1234]

I´m in love with this bottle. I get notes of dark chocolate in the background. Can bourbon create such notes? I would expect that from sherry casks.

[@billymacneil3839]

My favorite whiskey to drink but its hard to get on Cape Breton so its a treat when i do...

[@paulm749]

To my perception, Deanston 12 qualifies as a character malt as it has a distinctive flavor profile. It's a step or 3 up from something like a Glenmorangie 10.

[@timford8315]

This was the whisky that started my journey with single malts. Always have a bottle of this, and always will.

[@TheVolcano2334]

I live in America. I watched your video that gave Deanston 12 your whisky of the year a few years back. I’ve been looking for it since then. It must not be available in America. I am vacationing and saw some at a whisky store in Bath England. I did see Deanston 10 year at duty free. I might just pick that up on the way home. I don’t have your nose or palate. Not nearly so. I get vanilla and peaches. This is very sweet. Thank you for your videos!

[@WorldView22]

Ralfy, regarding your question about natural colour, according to Deanston Distillery website, "All our single malts are non-chill filtered and with natural colour."

[@haromaster6086]

Don’t understand why they don’t state it on the bottle. Just like the Kilkerran 12. Nothing on the new bottles. Have to dig into their website.

[@sundowner62james69]

Finally got a bottle (all be it a mini ) It's good stuff! Cheers Ralfy.

[@scoobtoober2975]

Benchmark stuff. Great starter into the great great stuff. Love it. Arran is on the benchmark list for me too. Thank you and only you for this knowledge that has held up in the actual tastings in my man cave.

[@MortAllachie]

I love it when you review a bottle I have in my collection, so I can share a dram with you. Wish you a great evening 😊

[@stucraven]

Deanston in the U.S. is sold without the cardboard tube! (at least in Oregon)

[@jonathanso86]

Just killed this bottle recently. Very very underrated considering how similar it is to Arran 10 if not better!

[@grahamokeefe9406]

Tried this for the first time this evening. Very, very nice.

[@bandicootman]

Been on my shelf since you made it whisky of the year for your channel, not a every day dram but greatly enjoyed

[@lapithos]

Hi Ralfy, thank you for the very informative and enjoyable reviews. I am curious about the 6-point drop in your malt mark for Deanston 12 since 2020. Has it declined that much in quality?

[@SimonneNZ]

I haven't tried the Deanston 12 yet. It was out of stock for a long time and then when it came back into stock recently the price has gone up and it's now the equivalent of £50-55. I'm waiting to see if I can pick it up on special. I have the Virgin Oak which I'm enjoying and is good value. I love the cat visits during your reviews. 😺

[@cabroncete]

Difficult for beginners, bit on the rough side, complex. But absolutely marvellous after one's passed that whisky-burn phase and able to appreciate that range on display which is incredibly colourful.

[@RaduB.]

I'm happy to report that this time I was able to enjoy a dram of Deanston 12 with you. 🙂 I've had it for some time now but I haven't got to the half of the bottle yet. But I think it's a good whisky! Today I've found it slightly more bitter than usual. Not that it bothered me, on the contrary!

[@robfut9954]

Imagine someone squirting a dropper full of e150 into your dram as they served it to you at the bar. People would object! But do that same thing a month earlier and it’s “tradition.” 😂

[@n9195v]

I'm excited for their new cask strength virgin oak

[@Mikego55]

The virgin oak is the only Deanston available where I am, I thought it was underwhelming, then again that was 10 years ago, could be time for a retry

[@tomcoryell321]

Going to buy your books straight away. Did not realize you were once an undertaker! Now that I know, I see it in your earnestness, your immense dignity. Slainte!

[@adrianwiuk]

It's a great dram! I've just finished a bottle and opened the 18yo and I'm still not sure which I prefer.

[@CloudyMcCloud00]

Thanks Ralfy, as always. Hope you get a chance to give your take on the Deanston Dragon’s Milk Stout Cask Finish sometime (50.5%)! 🥃

[@MrFranganito]

Love the Deanston 12, such a nice whisky

[@aapereira5374]

Hi Ralfy, i haven't tried this one, and now thanks to you, i really would like to. I have however tried Deanston's 10 yr Bordeaux (travel retail version) 46.3% abv. That one is even cheaper but lovely! Have you tried it?

[@Mark_R_]

So lucky to have this wee gem of a distillery not far from the house.

[@alivetoride59]

What a thoughtful, intelligent, and cherished gift I bought for myself and no one else because...it was the LAST bottle on the shelf courtesy of Ralfy Reviews which continues its knack for making integrity malts scarce. Same goes for Ardnamurchan. I intended to share a dram with my son but that's all it ended up being; a good intention. So there you go! 🤣

[@Robertcollopy]

The Deanston Aged 12 Years is part of there core range is non chilfiltered and with natural colour😀😁😎🤩 and in Ralphy Review 863 you reviewed the Three Ships Aged 12 Years also. Both Deanston and Three Ships Aged 12 Years are 46.3% ABV and are the same owners🍇🍈🍉🍊🍒

[@howlinmad03]

About a year ago, while visiting the UK, I got to tour this distillery. Came home with a bottle of their Oloroso finished whisky. I just finished it yesterday, sadly. More expensive but great stuff!

[@debugS4]

20:23 (fitting it matches the year, eh?) brings a wee tear to my eye. Despite all the odds, it is a truth for my personal journey. The gem is that I'm not alone!

[@markbagworth3653]

A gem of a whisky 👍never lets me down. I also enjoy their virgin oak. Always grab a bottle when it goes under $100 🇦🇺

[@Bob-ts2tu]

I recently bought a bottle of this on a 3 for 2 offer from MoM, and although not had it for a few years, am so glad i revisited it as it's truly a fab easy drinking dram, in fact too easy to drink lol, & If it is coloured i have to say i don't care really. GL

[@jimmysmith1879]

Great review ralphy👍👍

[@chrisnolan7627]

I've always had a soft spot for Deanston, particularly the 12yo. One of the rare whiskies where the loquid actually seemed to get better with the re-brand!

[@brentkasl6510]

Torabhaig mentioned as an up and coming, any future review plans? I see they just had another release version Thanks

[@Ronsat]

Oh well great! My favourite dram is going up in price now...Cheers Ralfy 😉

[@RichardHowells1234]

See you soon ralfy😘 Get his books everyone... Pure brilliance and truth Meow🐈 says Billy the Bothy cat

[@Apocarion]

My comment must have been because I've included example links... What I wanted to say is that for information on natural color I usually look up a whisky in German online stores. From what I understand, any added coloring needs to be declared in Germany.

[@prestonw3878]

I found that Deaston 12 tastes much like many independent bottled integrity Highland cask strength whisky after I have watered them down to the 40%abv to 46% range. I love Deaston!

[@DavidV-sz4di]

Deanston 12 got 89 three years ago, when this belter was the wishky of the year, which is when I bought it, and still enjoying it👌🥃

[@martindouwe6099]

Are we missing 1003 Extra's?

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . yes, thanks for letting me know. It's now public !

[@ElijsDima]

In Sweden we get whisky bottles made for the german/danish market, and they always include the color-added warning onthe label (iirc it was required by law for the german market). So thankfully, we get to know about the color-added regardless if the company itself wants to disclose it or not. Anyways. Looking forward to the upcoming blended malt/scotch reviews in 2024 :) Whiskey prices are getting out of hand.

[@bodie37]

Never had a bad Deanston

[@johnneilson377]

49.99 USD/750ml here in Chicago.

[@peatbull3426]

So simmilar price to UK but bigger bottle. Enjoy 👍😁🥂🙋🏻‍♂️

[@everwind5691]

I was never sure about neck pours until I tried Deanston. The neck pour was underwhelming, and I did not understand the hype. After about a month of air and I came back to the whisky and was blown away on the depth and how much more rounded the whisky had become. It quickly became a favorite, but this whisky wants air to open up, and all those warm malty notes just coat the tongue, extending the finish. Really good whisky IMHO. I hope it stays off the radar to be honest. Too many folks get on the hype train and it will no longer be on the shelves and prices will rise. Need to keep this our little secret Ralfy.

[@ericlani2622]

deanston is natural color. Its darker color comes from active american oak. Very bourbon like color

[@harambae117]

My country requires the label to put ingredients and the Deanston 12 doesn't have caramel coloring listed in there. I think most evidence points to it being non-colored so hopefully they put it on the label in the next version.

[@robfut9954]

This Deanston is $60 where I am, unfortunately. That’s a LOT more than the UK, especially considering the exchange rate.

[@SergiuNiculescu]

Hello Ralfy! Why did you drop the malt mark from 89 (on the last review 807) to 83? Why such a dramatic drop-down?

[@TheShredfest89]

700ml/25ml=30 drams 1000 reviews/30 drams = 33 roughly 33 bottles we've shared w ralfy

[@grahamokeefe9406]

"A bottle of failure!" 🤣

[@easer777]

I have a 21 YO 55% (CS) Wardhead (which is teaspooned Glenfiddich), NC filtered and no colorant added, and then I have a 15 YO Glenfiddich 51% (not quite CS, but up there), which is NC filtered but doesn't state anything about colorant, so, they are basically the same whisky, except that the one is a bit older.... Now, if I taste them up against each other, then it is very clear that a lot of caramel has been added to the 15 YO one, I can only just find the taste of the Wardhead in it, HOWEVER, and this is the strange thing about it, the colour between the two are basically the same....!!! -The 15 YO one taste A LOT of caramel, but it is thát delicious (light beige and) soft fudge-type of caramel, so, they didn't add colorant to make the whisky appear darker, but just to make it taste like fudge'y butterscotch.... Which may appeal to the typical airport-goer who want to bring home a nice bottle of whisky, but really, imagine this, they take all their whisky, which - judging by the Wardhead - is REALLY, REALLY delicious, and then they caramelise it, now THAT is really, really sad....

[@DileepB]

Deanston - 10 Year Old Bordeaux Cask is only 35 GBP at LHR Duty Free. Will have to pick it up.

[@xiamengbaby]

Deanston 12 was Ralfy's 2020 Whisky of the Year.

[@ADSCP]

Hi Ralfy is it similar to Glencadam 10 or Arran 10?

[@ahpadt]

Bit like Arran, not so much Glencadam.

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . yes, but different !

[@canalwhiskywhiskey]

I prefer Deanston 12 over Glencadam 13 and Arran 10

[@jazjac17]

For me it is completely different from both. Glencadam, 3rd spot, Deanston 2nd spot and Arran 1st. Deanston gives me a light taste of hay which nobody mentions and is strangely wonderful. All good, no losers, everyones taste is their own but Deanston will be a constant on my shelf.

[@peatbull3426]

​@@canalwhiskywhiskeyD12 is bit simmilar to A10 but GC13 is finished in Sauternes wine cask so is completely different. All three are superb malts 👍😁🥂🙋🏻‍♂️

[@claks_cocktails2838]

Ralfy, I’m getting a little confused with the new ‘harsher’ Malt marks. This was given 89 and whisky of the year a few years back. Has the whisky deteriorated or is 83 the new 89? !! I use your reviews as a reference point for all my Malt purchases so anything under £50 with a high 80’s or 90+ score would be on the ‘want list’. I’m not sure where to go now. Hope this makes sense. 👍

[@peatbull3426]

Dont worry. Its a trick against hype and save the bottle for you 👍😁🥂🙋🏻‍♂️

[@riccardo5281]

Why should you base your whisky purchases on that? It's a bit lazy and stupid. Ralfy's all point is to share knowledge and personal opinions so others can make informed decisions, it's not to just make him decide what you should buy based on a number on a piece of paper

[@claks_cocktails2838]

I don’t think it’s lazy or stupid. If you have little knowledge in a subject you do some research and listen to experts. I’ll buy a bottle based on Ralfys recommendations. I then decide if I like it or not. Either way I’m getting exposed to multiple types of whisky from different regions.

[@tonylastname6468]

Their Virgin Oak, NAS by the way, is a very competent, good value scotch.

[@heisenbergguy7772]

You are losing it Ralfy. I’ve been saying it. This was your your 2020 whisky of the year with a score of 89/100. I just bought a bottle recently and it’s still every bit as good if not better than the 2020 bottle! What’s gotten into you?

[@allanhegney3835]

12:41 "a 250ml pour" 🤣 luv it!

[@luijdiaz]

I love Billy the cat! Cheers from Canada 🥃

[@SimonJoyce-t8j]

What did Santa bring you for Christmas? A bottle of failure! 😂😂

[@Frick5171]

Came for the whiskey kitty.. stayed for the whiskey review

[@clicknafea]

Get a grip Ralfy - Billy was so needing a stroke.

[@joseaguilera4542]

It is a 25 mls pour not 250 mls. 😊

[@richboshart1201]

He said that he wasn’t so good with arithmetic!

[@604jroe]

1/3 of a bottle!

[@djbeacon6895]

ralfy, sounds very good. I'm enjoying their different finished 50 to 60% ABV scotch: brandy, Dragon's Milk Stout and especially the Bordeaux.

[@terrortower666]

The stout casks sounds interesting. Don’t think I’ve ever had a stout cask finish before

[@djbeacon6895]

Of those 3 finishings, it is the most subtle and allows more of the malt to show. Not sure if it was mainly a US release.

[@ADSCP]

@@terrortower666Jameson Stout

[@deccyboi4218]

i didnt like bordeaux at the beginning then i fell in love with it. got itfor 35 in stanstead too