Interesting review. Imho🙏, this one is one of the best 12yo on the market today, with good specs and a fair price tag. For it's age, it's a quite complex dram with many layers. As you know, never judge a bottle by the neck pour, it happens quite a lot after time in the bottle. High quality stuff. If you can get your hands on the Deanston 2008 Red Wine Matured, 9yo, 58,7%abv, NCF and NC, grab it, if it's a fair price....a marvellous dram🍷cheers
Yeah very true, I do try and mention that in my NeckPour reviews but people like them and I actually quite like comparing them to my more accurate reviews later on after they’ve opened up! 🙂 I think they highlight the difference really well. Now okay, sometimes I embarrass myself 😂 but that’s the joy of whisky! Ah I’ve seen it! Okay noted, thank you 🙏
I held a Deanston tasting with my whisky club and the winner was the 10 Bordeaux which was the least Deanston of them all (Kentucky, Virgin Oak, 10 Bordeaux, 12, 15 Tequila, 18) I do like the 12 and I looooveeee the 18 but I do understand that it's not for everyone. Certainly wasn't for most of our members :) In my opinion do not compare it with the 10 as they're so so different and any Deanston character, for me, disappears under that red wine influence. AnCnoc 12 is a good shout maybe Loch Lomond as well? Tobermory 12 could also be an interesting choice which you could also add the Bunna 12 and do the Distell Group 12s with the same abvs 😃 Ps. The beard is getting epic dude!
Haha thanks Sertug although after recording some videos tomorrow I will be cutting it next week! 😬 becomes so hard to live with! 😂 If I’m ever in Turkey I’ll try and go to one of your tastings if possible they sound great fun. Yeah I totally get what you mean, the wine cask just dominates it but it’s so so good! I think I’m going to pick up the virgin oak later in the year. I’m enjoying deanston so far, cheers!
Love Deanston12, although I haven't replaced it yet. Instead I plunged into the entry level Deanston Virgin Oak and what a WOW I experienced. From the first sip I found it outstanding and characterful. It is a dram that is aged like a burbon - new oak barrels. Be encouraged Ash to give that one a sip test.
I love deanston virgin oak. Last year I bought a few Deanston 12 one's for 40€. Can't wait to pop it up, but I don't like having too many open whiskey bottle's. I would love to see deanston virgin oak vs Deanston 12 or ancnoc 12 vs Deanston 12. Thanks for the review.
I totally get that, you make a good point. I would open it just before you finish off your virgin oak though so you can do your own whisky war and see which deanston you prefer. Cheers Koby! I’ve seen they do a virgin oak cask strength too 👀 maybe one for you to check out
Good stuff as usual. Always been interested in trying it but there's always something else. Think I have a sample. What I did get, however, is the Eagle Rare that you recommended. It too has been sitting far back on the buylist for a while, but since you recommended it so warmly I had to bundle it in with my last order. Neck pour of it has been great. I get a lot of cherries, specifically Blackberry from it, which I enjoy. Vanilla, cinnamon, oak, liquorice even. Easy sippin, but still some complexity to it. Good Bourbon, so thanks for the recommendation there. Other than that I got the Ledaig Rioja and Kilchoman Sanaig. Have yet to get to them though
That’s so true! There’s a few whiskies that are still on my list from years ago but for whatever reason I’ve purchased something different. Oh great stuff, I’m really glad you liked it, you’re welcome! I think you’ve picked up 2 other great whiskies so you’re in for a treat when you come to open them 🙂
Another great review Ash 👍 I do enjoy this bottle. Have you tried the virgin oak yet? I was surprised how good it was for the price tbf, altho a little young. I know what you mean re the 12 being watery, however I did feel it was "creamier" or certainly more viscous, when I went back to it after a few months. I do find a kind of synthetic peach, or maybe even pineapple? Similar to the flavoured bonbons (I can relate everything to sweets tho 🤣) but this too was after I revisited, I struggled to pick anything out at first visit. I've just got hold of the 10yr and my vote is for that whisky war 😁😁
Cheers Nick! I haven’t and after reading some of the comments, it sounds like I’m missing out! Yes I actually think you’re right with that. I just love how whisky can change the first month, i think it’s great 🙂 that peach note reminded a little of the Arran 10 but not as oily as that whisky, just that note which I really like. Haha everyone always has something that they relate too more and if it’s sweets then so be it 😂 okay I’ll see what I can do!
Happy new year Ash ! Nice review ! I love so much this whisky. For me , it taste above all orange marmalade. Personally I found it's very different from the An cnoc 12 (rather strawberry and salty sea)
Thank you and Happy new year Pierre! Yes true, I can’t believe I took this long before trying it. I’ve been missing out! Fair enough, I can see that, you’re spot on about that salt
Visited the distillery last year and came away with some lovely bottles. Have the 12 opened and the 18, with the virgin oak and a rare (for me at least!) Banyuls cask… and a hand filled (by me) 6 year old bourbon cask matured. Ok I went overboard, but thoroughly enjoyed the experience and the spirits. I’m pretty sure theres no colour added, but only on one of the bottles did it state it. It’s all over the official website though. Lovely stuff!
Ah great stuff! Sounds like you had a blast. Haha it happens but I’m sure it was worth the splurge. What was your favourite that you picked up? (If you’ve tasted them all yet) I don’t have the Tobermory unfortunately. I had it in my basket at £31 and left it too long and it sold out so now I don’t want to pay £45 😅
@WhiskyWars Yeah, it was a good experience there, nice detailed tour as my wife and I were the only ones on it! Hard not to be excited after that and the shop was too difficult to resist. Only tried a few sample and still have a few bottles unopened (I know, how have I managed to leave them this long?! lol) but love the 12 and the 18, hard to choose between them… maybe lean more towards the 12. Virgin oak was nice (only the sample I had so can’t give better info until I crack it open!) cask pour was really lovely, higher ABV and simple Bourbon cask. Banyuls was good too, but can’t remember the specifics. Think it’s a French desert wine, but a bit hazy now. Looking forward to getting them all opened. Shame about the Tobermory though, I managed to get mine in the sales though - lovely creamy, fruity, good stuff. Keep your eyes out for another sale 😁😁
Haha no it’s good. You have more self control than I do! The Banyuls really has my interest and I will do, glad to know you didn’t miss out too and that it’s a nice dram 🥃
I love the Deanston 12. Great value and a classic highland profile. I’ve just got the 18yr which is even better and one of my favourite highland whisky’s, but for me, the price jump makes the 12yr better bang for buck. I’m delighted I got the 18yr, I’ll savour it and make it last, but once it’s dead, I’ll go back to the 12yr as a highland permashelf. Totally agree it’s a fresh spring / summer dram. Deanstone 12 v An Cnoc 12 v Glencadam 10 whisky war please! 🙏🙂
Interesting! I agree, bang for buck is so important especially if you drink out of it regularly, it’s great to know that even though the 18 is better, I don’t have too much envy whilst drinking the 12 🙂 I have to say, I’m really impressed with deanston from the 10 and 12. I am hearing good reviews in the comments about the virgin oak, maybe I go for that next and if I’m feeling flush later in the year.. maybe the 18 👀 Your wish is my command. Well… ish… I don’t have the glencadam 😅 but I will do that acnoc war! I also realised I have the fettercairn 12 too so perhaps I could throw that in as the third?
@ nice - and you should really buy a Glencadam 10. Without wanting to influence your potential future reviews, I can highly recommend it and I strongly suspect you won’t regret the purchase. Not tried the Fettercairn so really interested to see how that compares.
@supervillan326 okay, if I don’t like it though… I’m coming for you! Haha I joke, won’t be shopping for a while but when I do, I’ve made a note so I will be checking this out if available
I’m definitely picking up the virgin oak later in the year, people just keep recommending to me so I can’t say no 😂 cheers though! And no worries about that, that’s the beauty of whisky. It gives great conversation because of that!
A true honest real Scotch review you always do I really appreciate every single review you do.
Thank you so much, I really appreciate your comments too, genuinely. Means a lot 🙂
Interesting review. Imho🙏, this one is one of the best 12yo on the market today, with good specs and a fair price tag. For it's age, it's a quite complex dram with many layers. As you know, never judge a bottle by the neck pour, it happens quite a lot after time in the bottle. High quality stuff.
If you can get your hands on the Deanston 2008 Red Wine Matured, 9yo, 58,7%abv, NCF and NC, grab it, if it's a fair price....a marvellous dram🍷cheers
Yeah very true, I do try and mention that in my NeckPour reviews but people like them and I actually quite like comparing them to my more accurate reviews later on after they’ve opened up! 🙂 I think they highlight the difference really well. Now okay, sometimes I embarrass myself 😂 but that’s the joy of whisky!
Ah I’ve seen it! Okay noted, thank you 🙏
I held a Deanston tasting with my whisky club and the winner was the 10 Bordeaux which was the least Deanston of them all (Kentucky, Virgin Oak, 10 Bordeaux, 12, 15 Tequila, 18) I do like the 12 and I looooveeee the 18 but I do understand that it's not for everyone. Certainly wasn't for most of our members :)
In my opinion do not compare it with the 10 as they're so so different and any Deanston character, for me, disappears under that red wine influence. AnCnoc 12 is a good shout maybe Loch Lomond as well? Tobermory 12 could also be an interesting choice which you could also add the Bunna 12 and do the Distell Group 12s with the same abvs 😃
Ps. The beard is getting epic dude!
Haha thanks Sertug although after recording some videos tomorrow I will be cutting it next week! 😬 becomes so hard to live with! 😂
If I’m ever in Turkey I’ll try and go to one of your tastings if possible they sound great fun. Yeah I totally get what you mean, the wine cask just dominates it but it’s so so good! I think I’m going to pick up the virgin oak later in the year. I’m enjoying deanston so far, cheers!
@WhiskyWars You're always welcome my friend 🥃
Love Deanston12, although I haven't replaced it yet. Instead I plunged into the entry level Deanston Virgin Oak and what a WOW I experienced. From the first sip I found it outstanding and characterful. It is a dram that is aged like a burbon - new oak barrels. Be encouraged Ash to give that one a sip test.
Thanks for sharing that recommendation, I will do! They also do a cask strength version of it too so the shopping list starts early for 2025 😅
I love deanston virgin oak. Last year I bought a few Deanston 12 one's for 40€. Can't wait to pop it up, but I don't like having too many open whiskey bottle's. I would love to see deanston virgin oak vs Deanston 12 or ancnoc 12 vs Deanston 12. Thanks for the review.
I totally get that, you make a good point. I would open it just before you finish off your virgin oak though so you can do your own whisky war and see which deanston you prefer. Cheers Koby! I’ve seen they do a virgin oak cask strength too 👀 maybe one for you to check out
@WhiskyWars oh, you are right 👍
Good stuff as usual. Always been interested in trying it but there's always something else. Think I have a sample. What I did get, however, is the Eagle Rare that you recommended. It too has been sitting far back on the buylist for a while, but since you recommended it so warmly I had to bundle it in with my last order. Neck pour of it has been great. I get a lot of cherries, specifically Blackberry from it, which I enjoy. Vanilla, cinnamon, oak, liquorice even. Easy sippin, but still some complexity to it. Good Bourbon, so thanks for the recommendation there. Other than that I got the Ledaig Rioja and Kilchoman Sanaig. Have yet to get to them though
That’s so true! There’s a few whiskies that are still on my list from years ago but for whatever reason I’ve purchased something different.
Oh great stuff, I’m really glad you liked it, you’re welcome!
I think you’ve picked up 2 other great whiskies so you’re in for a treat when you come to open them 🙂
Another great review Ash 👍 I do enjoy this bottle. Have you tried the virgin oak yet? I was surprised how good it was for the price tbf, altho a little young. I know what you mean re the 12 being watery, however I did feel it was "creamier" or certainly more viscous, when I went back to it after a few months. I do find a kind of synthetic peach, or maybe even pineapple? Similar to the flavoured bonbons (I can relate everything to sweets tho 🤣) but this too was after I revisited, I struggled to pick anything out at first visit. I've just got hold of the 10yr and my vote is for that whisky war 😁😁
Cheers Nick! I haven’t and after reading some of the comments, it sounds like I’m missing out! Yes I actually think you’re right with that. I just love how whisky can change the first month, i think it’s great 🙂 that peach note reminded a little of the Arran 10 but not as oily as that whisky, just that note which I really like. Haha everyone always has something that they relate too more and if it’s sweets then so be it 😂 okay I’ll see what I can do!
Happy new year Ash !
Nice review !
I love so much this whisky.
For me , it taste above all orange marmalade.
Personally I found it's very different from the An cnoc 12 (rather strawberry and salty sea)
Thank you and Happy new year Pierre!
Yes true, I can’t believe I took this long before trying it. I’ve been missing out! Fair enough, I can see that, you’re spot on about that salt
Visited the distillery last year and came away with some lovely bottles. Have the 12 opened and the 18, with the virgin oak and a rare (for me at least!) Banyuls cask… and a hand filled (by me) 6 year old bourbon cask matured. Ok I went overboard, but thoroughly enjoyed the experience and the spirits. I’m pretty sure theres no colour added, but only on one of the bottles did it state it. It’s all over the official website though. Lovely stuff!
Also, as someone below mentioned, the Tobermory 12 would be a good comparator for the Deanston 12. Similar casks, same age 😊
Ah great stuff! Sounds like you had a blast. Haha it happens but I’m sure it was worth the splurge. What was your favourite that you picked up? (If you’ve tasted them all yet)
I don’t have the Tobermory unfortunately. I had it in my basket at £31 and left it too long and it sold out so now I don’t want to pay £45 😅
@WhiskyWars Yeah, it was a good experience there, nice detailed tour as my wife and I were the only ones on it! Hard not to be excited after that and the shop was too difficult to resist. Only tried a few sample and still have a few bottles unopened (I know, how have I managed to leave them this long?! lol) but love the 12 and the 18, hard to choose between them… maybe lean more towards the 12. Virgin oak was nice (only the sample I had so can’t give better info until I crack it open!) cask pour was really lovely, higher ABV and simple Bourbon cask. Banyuls was good too, but can’t remember the specifics. Think it’s a French desert wine, but a bit hazy now. Looking forward to getting them all opened. Shame about the Tobermory though, I managed to get mine in the sales though - lovely creamy, fruity, good stuff. Keep your eyes out for another sale 😁😁
Haha no it’s good. You have more self control than I do! The Banyuls really has my interest and I will do, glad to know you didn’t miss out too and that it’s a nice dram 🥃
I love the Deanston 12. Great value and a classic highland profile.
I’ve just got the 18yr which is even better and one of my favourite highland whisky’s, but for me, the price jump makes the 12yr better bang for buck.
I’m delighted I got the 18yr, I’ll savour it and make it last, but once it’s dead, I’ll go back to the 12yr as a highland permashelf. Totally agree it’s a fresh spring / summer dram.
Deanstone 12 v An Cnoc 12 v Glencadam 10 whisky war please! 🙏🙂
Interesting! I agree, bang for buck is so important especially if you drink out of it regularly, it’s great to know that even though the 18 is better, I don’t have too much envy whilst drinking the 12 🙂
I have to say, I’m really impressed with deanston from the 10 and 12. I am hearing good reviews in the comments about the virgin oak, maybe I go for that next and if I’m feeling flush later in the year.. maybe the 18 👀
Your wish is my command.
Well… ish… I don’t have the glencadam 😅 but I will do that acnoc war! I also realised I have the fettercairn 12 too so perhaps I could throw that in as the third?
@ nice - and you should really buy a Glencadam 10. Without wanting to influence your potential future reviews, I can highly recommend it and I strongly suspect you won’t regret the purchase. Not tried the Fettercairn so really interested to see how that compares.
No no, I love recommendations too, thank you 🙂
@@WhiskyWars for me, the Glencadam 10 might possibly be the best whisky around for under £40. Certainly top 3 based on the ones I’ve tried.
@supervillan326 okay, if I don’t like it though… I’m coming for you!
Haha I joke, won’t be shopping for a while but when I do, I’ve made a note so I will be checking this out if available
I like the Virgin Oak, I like the 10 year, I really really love the 18, but the 12 for me is a bit meh.
Should like it, but I find it a bit boring.
I’m definitely picking up the virgin oak later in the year, people just keep recommending to me so I can’t say no 😂 cheers though!
And no worries about that, that’s the beauty of whisky. It gives great conversation because of that!