Deanston Distillery - Production and Character

Production and Character

Deanston Distillery looks very unlike a traditional Scotch whisky distillery and has a number of unique production features which contribute to its distinct character in taste and look. The spirit is handmade by a small team of local craftsmen who rely on traditional distilling techniques and their own eye to ensure quality; no technology or computers are used. Deanston uses only Scottish-grown barley and in 2000, was one of the first distilleries in Scotland to start producing organic whisky, certified by the Organic Food Federation and using barley grown in specially selected sites, free from pesticides and chemicals. The distillery also boasts an 11-ton open-topped mash tun - the only one of its size in Scotland - and four unique pot stills with upwards sloping lyne arms and boiling balls, which help give the whisky its light character. The spirit is matured in the original weaving shed designed by Arkwright in the 1830s, which holds a capacity of 45,000 casks. Whisky writer Jim Murray said of Deanston: ‘Deanston is a cathedral to whisky maturation. In fact, with its gloriously vaulted ceiling built in the 1830s, you would swear you were in a crypt.’ In addition to generating its own electricity, Deanston’s green credentials were further topped in 2008, when Burn Stewart Distillers Ltd reformulated the liquid and redesigned the packaging to better reflect the Deanston brand essence. All materials are now either recycled or recyclable, and gift tubes were replaced by cardboard gift boxes in order to further reduce weight.

Deanston Single Malt whisky is sweet, fruity and balanced with a malty spiciness on the palate. The range currently consists of Deanston 12 YO, Deanston Virgin Oak, and two limited editions, Spanish Oak and Toasted Oak, which are only available at the distillery shop. All spirit is un-chill filtered; ensuring an authentic tasting dram. About 15% of the spirit produced goes into Deanston Single Malt and the other 85% is used for blends such as Scottish Leader and Black Bottle. Deanston is also in Drumgray Highland Cream Liqueur (which won gold medals in the 1993 and 1999 IWSC competitions) and Wallace Single Malt Liqueur. Deanston 12 YO was recently awarded Gold in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and silver in the International Wine and Spirits Competition. Deanston Virgin Oak also won gold at the Scotch Whisky Masters and silver in both the International Wine and Spirits Competition and International Spirits Challenge. Today Deanston is not only in steady demand from blenders but has a growing acceptance as a premium single malt.