And where were you in 1314?
There is probably no Scot who would not be familiar with the name "Bannockburn". The Battle of Bannockburn is one of the anchor points of Scottish history and is etched firmly in the collective consciousness. In 1314, the Scots under Robert the Bruce defeated the vastly outnumbered English army of Edward II. Why do we mention this here? Because the first bottlings from the Deanston distillery were sold as "Old Bannockburn".
The distillery is actually not far from the town of Bannockburn (today part of Stirling). The name was probably chosen because it is so steeped in history and so attractive. Only later did people become more self-confident and called the malt like the distillery from which it comes: Deanston. Good this way. Because the whisky speaks for itself. The single malt from Deanston is a non-smoky Highland malt with malty sweetness and honey notes. You will often find notes of nuts and hints of pastries in Deanston whiskies.
Deanston Distillery sits on the River Teith, where it generates its own electricity using a hydroelectric power station. Deanston's brick buildings have a slightly industrial feel, which makes sense. Because they once housed a cotton mill. Fortunately, the excellent Highland Single Malt is produced there today, which we warmly recommend to you.
Where is Deanston? Deanston Distillery is in the South Highlands north west of Stirling.
3 reasons to love Deanston
1) Because history lives here.
2) Because you generate your own electricity from water in a very environmentally conscious manner.
3) Because cotton mills are beautiful, but distilleries are even more beautiful.
How does Aberlour whisky taste?
Elegant, round, balanced - these terms come up when it comes to describing the Aberlour house style. Aberlour is a non-smoky and very sweet and fruity single malt. Aromas of red apples, honey and soft nutty notes can be found in Aberlour whiskys. Depending on the bottling and cask composition, the caramel and vanilla tones or the berry sherry notes are more emphasized. With this smooth and tasteful whisky you'll easily convince your friends to drink single malt.
How Aberlour Single Malt is made
Most of today's beautiful stone buildings, where Aberlour whisky is made, were built in 1892. The distillery is just a stone's throw from the River Spey, which owes its name to the legendary Speyside whisky region. However, the name Aberlour comes from the small river of the Lour. Literally translated, Aberlour means "mouth of the Lour", where the distillery is located. The source of Aberlour's clear water, St. Drozdan's Well, is said to have healing magic powers. Once you've visited the nearby Linn Falls, you too will believe it. Because this magically beautiful little waterfall once served as a place of worship for Celts and Druids. The Lour flows past the Standing Stones of Fairy Hill. Who wouldn't want this magical water in their whisky?
The water of the Lour River is used for the cooling systems of the stills. However, this returns untouched back into the river, because only pure spring water goes into the whisky itself. Fermentation takes place in six large stainless steel washbacks. Today, Aberlour distills the new make for the single malt whisky on four onion-shaped pot stills. The copper stills have no bulges. Aberlour Single Malt matures in both ex-bourbon casks and ex-sherry casks. The malty, fruity spirit works well with both American and European oak. In France, Aberlour is one of the best-selling malt whiskys. Aberlour Single Malt is also used in some blends, as in the Scotch Clan Campbell.
A little history on Deanston
The distillery was taken over by Deanston Distillery Co. Ltd. in 1965. founded. An old cotton mill built in 1785 was converted for this purpose. Production started in 1966, the first single malt was released in 1971 as Old Bannockburn. In 1972 Invergordon Distillers took over the distillery and in 1974 had the first single malt bottled under the Deanston name. In 1982 the distillery was closed. Burn Stewart Distillers of Glasgow bought the defunct distillery in 1990 and restarted production a year later. Since 2002, Burn Stewart and thus Deanston have belonged to the C.L. Financial.
How does Deanston whisky taste?
The Deanston is a mild whisky with a nice malty sweetness, hints of pastry, honey and vanilla.
Our Deanston recommendations:
The Deanston 12 year old is the flagship of the distillery and one of the most beautiful Highland whiskys we know. With its golden yellow color and honey sweetness, it is the picture book example of a whisky from the ex-bourbon cask. Be sure to try it!
Numbers & Facts about Deanston
Address: Doune, Perthshire FK16 6AG
Established: 1965 by Deanston Distillery Co. Ltd.
Owner: Burn Stewart Distillers (C.L. Financial)
Status: active
Region: Highland Whisky
Whisky Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Smoke level: Unpeated/ non-peated/ non-smoky
Water: River Teith
Mashtun: 10.5 tons
Washbacks: 8, stainless steel
Fermentation: 85 hours
Stills: 2 wash stills (10,000 l), 2 spirit stills (8,500 l)
Capacity: approx. 3,000,000 liters
Water: River Teith
Visitor Centre: yes
Telephone: +44 (0)1786 - 843010
Website: www.deanstonmalt.com
Directions to the Deanston Distillery
Bildnachweis / Bildquelle: Leon Schuster, Malt Mariners
