Deanston

Deanston is one of the few whisky distilleries in the southern Highlands. The old cotton mill in which Deanston is produced exudes an industrial charm. The first buildings were erected as early as 1785. The old weaving mill has housed the distillery since 1965. Deanston single malt is a malty, sweet and creamy whisky with flavours of honey and sweet biscuits. Deanston generates its own electricity from its own hydroelectric power station. The whiskies also reflect the distillery's sustainable approach. Some of the malt is produced from organically grown barley and the whiskies are not coloured or chill-filtered. Try the Deanston 12 year old now as the perfect Highland whisky.

And where were you in 1314?

There are probably no Scots who wouldn't recognise the name "Bannockburn". The Battle of Bannockburn is one of the anchor points of Scottish history and is firmly etched in the collective consciousness. In 1314, the Scots under Robert the Bruce defeated the numerically far superior English army of Edward II there. Why are we mentioning 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 (now a district of Stirling). However, the name was probably chosen because it is so steeped in history and has such a strong pull. It was only later that people became more self-confident and named the malt after the distillery it comes from: Deanston. Just as well. Because the whisky speaks for itself. Deanston's single malt is a non-smoky Highland malt with a malty sweetness and honey notes. You will often find nutty notes and hints of biscuit in Deanston whiskies.

The Deanston Distillery is located directly on the River Teith, where it generates its own electricity using a hydroelectric power plant. The brick buildings of Deanston have a slightly industrial look, which makes sense. They were once home to a cotton mill. Today, fortunately, the excellent Highland single malt is produced there, which we can warmly recommend.

Where is Deanston? The Deanston Distillery is located in the Southern Highlands north-west of Stirling.

3 reasons to love Deanston

1) Because the history lives on here.

2) Because they produce their own electricity from water in a very environmentally conscious way.

3) Because cotton mills are beautiful, but distilleries are even more beautiful.

How does Deanston whisky taste?

Deanston is a mild whisky with a lovely malty sweetness and hints of biscuit, honey and vanilla.

Our Deanston recommendations:

The Deanston 12 year old is the distillery's flagship and one of the finest Highland whiskies we know. With its golden yellow colour and honey sweetness, it is a picture-book example of a whisky from an ex-bourbon cask. Be sure to try it!

A little history on Deanston

The distillery was founded in 1965 by Deanston Distillery Co. Ltd. An old cotton mill built in 1785 was converted for this purpose. Production began in 1966 and the first singe malt was launched in 1971 as Old Bannockburn. In 1972, Invergordon Distillers took over the distillery and bottled the first single malt under the name Deanston in 1974. The distillery was closed in 1982. Burn Stewart Distillers from Glasgow bought the disused distillery in 1990 and started production again a year later. Since 2002, Burn Stewart, and with it Deanston, has been owned by the investor group C.L. Financial.

Figures & Facts about Deanston

Address: Doune, Perthshire FK16 6AG

Founded: 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 content: Unpeated/ unpeated/ not smoky

Water: River Teith

Mashtun: 10.5 tonnes

Washbacks: 8, stainless steel

Fermentation: 85 hours

Bourbon stills: 2 wash stills (10.000 litres), 2 spirit stills (8,500 litres)

Capacity: approx. 3,000.000 litres

Water: River Teith

Visitor Centre: yes

Phone: +44 (0)1786 - 843010

Website: www.deanstonmalt.com