Deanston 14 Year Organic

A light and easy drink. It seems younger than 14 years old. Tastes of Sugar Babies, lemon, and melted whipped cream. The finish is watery and brief. Update... I've finished the bottle and it hasn't become much more interesting. It genuinely tastes very young - almost like unaged spirit. I would never guess it's 14 years old. I'm disappointed I don't enjoy this one because I truly respect Deanston's commitment to making it entirely organic. However, my taste buds are honest. I'd choose Hazelburn 10 over this any day.

Lemons and peaches presented alongside a patch of wildflowers and dripping honeycomb in the aroma. Vanilla, chilies, demerara sugar on the palate quickly transforms into smooth liquid honey and warming szechuan pepper. This whiskey is potent, so I'll add some water. The aroma develops more stewed pears and apples. The palate becomes green apples and less fiery. The finish remains sweet, but with more oak and less spicy chili. A good and intriguing whiskey, but improved with the addition of water.

Deanston 14 Year Organic Barrel Select 2017. A potent Single Malt from Highland, Scotland matured in new oak barrels. It starts with an aromatic profile featuring hints of light fruits, citrus, dried apricots, coconut, rich toffee, sweet oak, and barley sugar. Its character develops into a rich and fruity experience with notes of fruit, malty honeyed spice, soft vanilla, allspice, citrus syrup, and sour apples, culminating in a long, tingling finish. Bottled January 2017 / August 2022.

Aroma: Predominantly cedarwood with a briny, seaweed undertone. Taste: Spicy cedarwood at first, followed by an underlying fruity, almost tropical flavor. Finish: Lingering white pepper and sea salt. It verges on savory. Observations: A varied experience. The aroma, taste, and finish seem like descriptions of three distinct spirits. It's intriguing but not a bottle I'd add to my collection.

Aroma: Fresh, sweet vanilla (but not much else?). Taste: Honey, woody notes (oak?) and a hint of orange. (The sweetness is a bit overwhelming.) Finish: Creamy initially, then transitions to black pepper. Easy to drink but not especially complex.

Nose: Acetone/chemical. Woody Palate: Smooth, tropical fruit, oak & vanilla, woody Finish: Creamy, black pepper. Citrus and sour notes in the aftertaste. This has a very long, yet exceptionally dry finish.