🥃 Deanston 12 Year - Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky Review

[@Aqvavitae]

Just started watching. If you boys don't like this we can't be friends anymore.

[@Aqvavitae]

OK, we can still hang. 😜 Very glad to hear you enjoy this whisky and agree with your notes and appraisal. Let it pour! (I bet Shawn has since got to know it even better and is thinking "Damn... it IS a 3.5!").

[@everwind5691]

Roy this is one of my new favorite go-to whiskies based upon your recommendation. I love this whisky. It is also an incredible value. There are not many 12 year-old whiskies at this price point, craft presentation with 46% abv, un-chill filtered, no color added, with exception of BUNNAHABHAIN 12, which is owned by the same company. Most standard 12 year old these days cost around $70 at 40-43% ABV with coloring and chill filtration. I agree this whisky does need some air. It definitely became much more robust with time and air in the bottle. I recommend this bottle to everyone! It is just so nice and approachable, rich, and malty. I am not sure I understand the guys water comments. Everyone waters to taste. Is holding water a pure function of ABV or simple dilution? Is it a function of water soluble compounds being absorbed and allowing other flavors to be brought out/supressed? Not sure how this factors into the ratings.

[@Aqvavitae]

Everwind yeah it is great isn't it? The water thing is curious, needs air, time, contemplation and quiet. Difficult to squeeze all that into a short review. This was a long review for these guys, they were obviously enjoying. I prefer when they have to work hard to keep their comments succinct, shows how excited they are by the dram. 🙂

[@everwind5691]

I think the guys did a good job, and generally do a good job. I enjoy their videos. Just trying to understand how the "hold's water" comment that often finds its way into many of the reviews and not sure how that is used in the scoring system. Obviously its not pure ABV as I have had 40% blends that seem incredibly "hot" and burn the tongue, and have had 46% ABV that barely tickles the tongue. Perhaps the S4Ds can help elaborate what they mean by "Holds Water" means and how it affects their scoring :)

[@stuartpeel5840]

Hi Roy. I'm toying between the 12 or the 18... which one would you recommend? I'm guessing you've had both.

[@Nifilheimur]

bought this on a whim today and was so impressed i for the first time looked up reviews on spirits on youtube. good stuff

[@Scotch4Dummies]

Oh my Nifilheimur, you're in for a ride going through the Deanstons....they put out fabulous bottles from a range of price points. The Virgin Oak is so darn affordable and good that it really makes for a daily go to that you don't feel guilty hitting because of your wallet! Enjoy, ~Mark

[@SaltyCuban]

Based on your review, I’m excited that I found this deanston 12 at a store for 39.99. Only reason I didn’t buy it is because I found Spring Bank 12 at $80 and I bought two of those. Next time I’ll go and buy either one Deanston And a clynelish Or two deanston 12s. Never had either of the two.

[@ConnahJay]

score!

[@SaltyCuban]

Is this brown box version the same as the white label one?

[@foodquig]

I have thoroughly enjoyed every bottle of Deanston I ever opened... Very fine juice!

[@Scotch4Dummies]

Can't argue with any of that. -Shawn

[@toonvanrooij3891]

Great revieuw guys , i have 3 bottles of the 12 at my house its my favourite 12 year scotch for sure and its even better in price here in the Netherlands ( 35 euro , 41 us dollars ) , keep up with the good shows.

[@Scotch4Dummies]

Deanston is a great distillery. You know you are on the right path when your entry level scotch is this good. Thanks for watching! -Shawn

[@trevordelaney6820]

I got a bottle of Deanston 12 year old today for 68.70 Canadian, Glen Garioch 12 year old for 69.99 and a Macallan Sherry oak, the 43% one for 125 Canadian, am happy ;)

[@ernestclayton8550]

Not on the shelf in my town, but I was able to order a bottle for $65. I'm wondering which 12 yr old Shawn likes better? Thanks for the reviews! I would never know about several of these Scotches! Thanks for taking the time guys! Cheers😀

[@Scotch4Dummies]

We're all learning together Ernest! :-) ~Mark

[@ernestclayton8550]

The finish is great! Way above average! It deserves a few more points!😀

[@trhoads07]

I can get the 12, 14 and 18 but not the 20. I think I will start with the 12 once I finish a few bottles I have open now. Great review!

[@everwind5691]

Tom, Get 2 bottles of the 12. You will not be disappointed. The word is getting out on the value of Deanston and its great taste. It reminds me a lot of the OP 17 and that is very high praise coming from me.

[@Scotch4Dummies]

I know a bar that would gladly pour you a glass of the 20. - Shawn

[@kresimirjelcic576]

Very nice dram, I was surprised to be so good for a 12 year old. It's a must have.

[@aasche04]

Wow. Very high praise! So high that I went and bought a bottle today. Very good stuff. A great value and high quality for a 12. It reminds me a lot of the Old Pulteney 21 on the palate. Has the same dryness and saltiness, which makes no sense since i don't think Deanston is anywhere near the sea, 9 years younger, and different casking...try the two side by side and let me know if I am crazy or a whisky savant!

[@Scotch4Dummies]

I will have to look and see if we have any of the OP 21 left to try. I see where you would find the similarity though and it is nice to have a good dram at a price that doesn't make me feel guilty about drinking it. It is pretty rare to find a 12 year with this kind of flavor and depth and I think it will be on my bar from now on. -Shawn

[@JasonWhiskyWise]

Great review guys as this has become one of my favourite distilleries and also for a 12yr is up there. Got my Deanston series later for this week. Great save inn the cork! Slàinte

[@Scotch4Dummies]

It’s such a good distillery. So glad we tried this one. - Shawn

[@damnedbythedram951]

Thumbs up for another great video. I really recomand that you try the Deanston 9 Year Old Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured and the Deanston 14 years old Spanish Oak.

[@Aqvavitae]

whisky pilgrim yes, both eye-wateringly good 👍

[@JasonWhiskyWise]

I've got the Boreduex and it's one I'd wish many could try. Great liquid

[@Despertadohoy]

On my top 3 12yrs for sure, this bottle was awesome, the more I drank the better it got.

[@swiperrt]

Wish they'd get this at our LCBO's in Ontario here. All we have is the Virgin Oak. Nice review fellas!

[@Scotch4Dummies]

It always seems no matter where you live there is a bottle you can't get. Some places are worse than others, but it always amazes me what is available in different markets. -Shawn

[@TheWhiskyExplorer]

HarryWally Did you guys get it yet?? Our province-run BC Liquor Store also only has the VO. I found the Deanston 12 at a random private store a town or two away.

[@phillyscorpio3804]

Went with this Deanston 12yr for me & the family trip to the mountains... My goodness! Honeycrisp Apples from the rip! Then that Cinnamon spice rolls in to make it like stew apples/Apple pie. The honey & I'm guessing vanilla or caramel just balances this thing out! I'm a big Macallan & Glendronach 12yr fanboy... SHERRY BABY. This Deanston had me emotional cause i feel like it's better... i don't know... 😄😄😄 Oh I just realized ya'll are fairly new to Total Wine... hey I not ashamed to admit... I haven't walked into our Total Wine until 4yrs into this 7 year journey 😂😂 You can get lost in there for hours 😅😅 As always cheers my guy's! 🥃😎

[@kb951]

Awesome review guys! Keep it up, a must have for sure. Cheers!

[@georgekaplan5073]

Now that’s the way to open a bottle of whisky, well done ✅ I tried this from some blind samples along with the Virgin Oak and the Virgin Oak just edged out the 12 for me, (unless they were mislabeled). I need to pick up this bottle. Nice job guys.

[@Scotch4Dummies]

Thanks George. I think Deanston has a great product line and I can't complain about a 12 year that tastes this good for the price they charge. It's awesome. -Shawn

[@vanmiten]

In my experience D12 opens beautifully with few drops of water. It was bit dull in beginning, but after adding water it turned really nice. Great price/quality ratio.

[@gman5986]

Good review guys. You have something unique here with your channel of 4 buddies sharing,discussing and rating whiskies!.........Slainte'

[@thewhiskycouch7886]

Deanston is releasing some great expressions. Thumbs up 👍 for sure!! Cheers guys 👏🥃!

[@Scotch4Dummies]

We haven't had a bad one yet. -Shawn

[@cpumariega]

You guys NEED to try the Deanston 10 yr PX finish, amazing!

[@cpumariega]

Got it for $57 in Florida, cask strength!

[@Scotch4Dummies]

That one is on the list. We all enjoy the Deanston. - Shawn

[@TripleBerg]

If you can still find it, try the Deanston 18 Cognac finish. Outstanding

[@Scotch4Dummies]

You don’t see a lot of cognac finished scotches. That would really be interesting. I’m going on a hunt for that right now. -Shawn

[@TripleBerg]

Scotch 4 Dummies Great nose on this, but was limited release (about 2000?) two years ago only in the US market. Could be pricey now, as well as hard to find.

[@georgemacleod7659]

Drew , were you in Moncton New Brunswick this week? If not you have a doppelgänger

[@Scotch4Dummies]

Lol, nope - funny that I have a doppelganger thought. I hope he was drinking some Deanston!

[@GregsWhiskyGuide]

Fun time it seems....But what happened to the cork really didn't get it?

[@Scotch4Dummies]

We broke it. It didn’t go in the bottle though. That’s the worst. Thankfully we always keep a few around just in case. - Shawn

[@GregsWhiskyGuide]

ok it can happen, I even heard people cutting their finger with that kind of aluminum cork protection...Me also obliged to have a lot of used corks in reserve coz too many fluctuations of temperature in my flat in the attics (& corks of newly opened bottles & even already opened ones tend to break right from the start)

[@keithrichman6918]

New subscriber here! Love this vid!

[@Scotch4Dummies]

Thanks for joining us on the journey Keith! Deanston is a really special distillery. Let us know if you have tried any of their bottlings and what your thoughts were. -Shawn

[@keithrichman6918]

Scotch 4 Dummies I just purchased Bunnahabhain 12, Glenallachie 12, Glenmoragie 12 Lasanta and of course Deanston 12! I know I went crazy but the deals where very good! I have yet to crack them open but I can’t wait!🥃

[@davidbroughall3782]

5:47 Selling some t-shirts?

[@davidbroughall3782]

What kind of a bar doesn't have a corkscrew?

[@2080bop]

The same thing happened with the cork on my deanston 12

[@jeffkluge7152]

Great review guys. The Whiskey Vault dudes love this as well. So, being in the core range, you’d think you’d be able to get it quite easily in Canada, right? Nope. Instead all we get is the Deanston Virgin Oak. At least that’s the case in my area. You guys have it so good in the states. I can get my hands on roughly 30% of what you can. Send me some 🥃😉🥃

[@Scotch4Dummies]

The selection in the states greatly depends on where you live also. There are some markets that are state run and get less selection or the market isn't as strong for scotch so we get a more restricted selection. We have found buying online helps expand the selection, but not everyone can do that either. I wish I had a good solution to the problem, but that's government services for you. -Shawn

[@jeffkluge7152]

Scotch 4 Dummies Hey Shaun, thanks for the reply brother! Interesting info. Canada is ridiculous when it comes to importing alcohol of any kind. We cannot import internationally or nationally (from Province to Province). Alberta, for example, has a robust, competitive private system so they get more variety. I have a brother there who can’t send me any goodies through the mail. Major bummer man! Well guys, please keep up the great reviews! 🥃👌🥃

[@WheelHouseWhisky]

Another great video!Glenfinnich 21 rum cask

[@ernestclayton8550]

My new number one! WOW!

[@speedrakk]

try the ancnoc 12. in the usa it's 43% non chill filtered, natural color,and a great price.from the knockdhu distillery.

[@Scotch4Dummies]

Working on some things from this distillery! ~Mark

[@WheelHouseWhisky]

Sugar cookie , butterscotch cream for me. Great glass

[@Scotch4Dummies]

I need to email you in regards to mailing.... ;-) ~Mark

[@WheelHouseWhisky]

Okay did the address change? Please email me as soon as possible.

[@WhiskyJason1]

NICE!!!

[@davidbroughall3782]

You must have been sitting on this bottle for a while. This is now in a tube with a different shaped bottle and new label.

[@VP737]

My Fav.

[@alanchadwick2646]

Less water a lot less with this