Deanston 11 Years (2012/2023) - Best Dram
Rum finishes are like the bell bottoms of the whisky world - sometimes totally trendy, sometimes highly controversial. In 2024, they are definitely in the spotlight, and the Deanston 2012/2023 11 Years from Best Dram shows why. This independent bottler has once again managed to deliver an affordable bottle that will delight novices and connoisseurs alike. But beware: rum finishes are a bit like blind dates - they can be sweet and exciting or just plain meh. This one? Clearly a fruit bomb with a wow effect.
The panel
Mean 88.5 · spread 3
Value for money 5/5
- Distillery
- Deanston
- Bottler
- Best Dram
- Type
- Single Malt
- Region
- Highlands
- Country
- Scotland
- Age
- 11 years
- Strength
- 55.7% ABV
- Character
- mellow
Tasting
Nose
From the very first sniff, Deanston catapults your nose into a tropical fruit basket. Imagine opening a fresh tin of peaches and apricots, sprinkling a few pieces of pineapple on top and topping it all off with honey sweetness and a hint of whipped cream. A gentle touch of creamy caramel and a small herbal greeting à la mate tea round off the experience. Sounds fancy? It is - but without being lifted off.
Palate
This is where it gets really exciting! The Deanston packs quite a punch at 55.7 % vol. but without overwhelming the palate. The oily texture is like silk on the tongue, while lemon balm and heather add fresh accents. The tropical fruits from the nose are also present here - apricot, pineapple and the like make an appearance. At the same time, a good portion of oak provides spice and depth. It is a balance of power and elegance that is simply fun.
Finish
The finish is like the final act of a good film: warm, dry and a little pensive. The oak comes to the fore and brings spicy, almost tart notes, while the fruitiness slowly fades away. A hint of tea lingers - a subtle finish that immediately invites you to take the next sip.
Verdicts
Marcel
This Deanston 11 Years from Best Dram is a true fruit bomb that delights with its rum finish and never becomes boring. The tropical aromas and oily texture turn every sip into a little holiday flirt – perfect for anyone who wants to have fun with whisky without spending a lot of money.
Sascha
The Deanston 2012/2023 presents itself as a well-balanced whisky with an impressive harmony between the powerful 55.7% ABV and the fine integration of tropical fruit notes and spicy oak. The rum finish gives this cask-strength dram a harmonious, complex character that appeals to both newcomers and connoisseurs alike.
What it is worth
We do not yet hold bottle-level auction results — that sits behind Whisky Hunter’s authenticated feed. What follows is the market for Deanston as a whole, which sets the weather for this bottling without pricing it.
Latest mean bid £72 across 48 lots · 2024-08