I got a bottle last week, looks like your old bottle for colour. I put this above glencadam easily. For my taste. Def salty in there, i love it. Great video. 🥃
Hello. I do not remember seeing that kind of colour. Crazy! Thanks for sharing, and yes, I also have that dream of lower cost, and high quality. Cheers!
Really looks like there not that interested in batch variation at Deanston Jon... As long as the whisky is good... And boy is this one good... Cheers my friend...
Loving how distilleries are embracing batch variation. Need to keep an eye out for one of these. Campbeltown Loch batch 2 & 3 have a color variation like this. Also had two batches of AnCnoc 18 both from 2020 that were light and dark. Of the Campbeltown's love the dark one more. Of the AnCnoc's it's the light one I love. You never know but the variation just makes for more different things to experience. Cheers Alan
this one is a belter Emily, massive batch variation to my last one...i dont mind the batch variation if the whisky is good and this is very good.....thanks for dropping in....
I really didn’t like my first bottle of Deanston 12, bought another bottle maybe 2 years later and loved it. Really interesting to see it getting so dark in colour.
It's been a few years since i've had a 12 year Deanston. tends to be the 18 that I reach for but I see similar changes from batch to batch with Ledaig, another Distell product. With different barrels used from year to year there should always be some colour variance (Dalmore take note), some casks will be lightly used some might not be, influencing not just the colour but the nose and the flavours. I don't always like that musty flavour that you mentioned, wasn't keen on the Deanston Chronicles until I had got half way down the bottle but in the 12 and 18 that grassy, tropical bourbon forward note just works so well.
I have also picked up a second bottle of Deanston 12 and it is much darker than what's left in the old bottle but its still amazing juice if not better. I thought to myself that's really dark for mostly bourbon.
Thanks for reviewing Alan. Not the biggest Deanston fan myself. But great that Deanston seems not to care about colour consistency. Bonus points for them. Slàinte mhath
Hi Alan, are there any mentions on the bottle about the casks? Deanston 12 ist typically bourboncask matured and this Information is mentioned on the back of the bottle. greetings from germany
I was waiting for some type of sherry cask influence with that color (or the dreaded addition of E150, which would have been a big surprise by Deanston 😯). Like others have commented, I like batch variation as long as I don't end up with a bad surprise 😉. Speyburn 15 has been doing it nicely as well. Cheers!
Just bought a 750 ml bottle in USA and whisky is very dark. I have a 50 ml sample that is straw colored. Think they are adding color, wish they wouldn't.
The D12 was a great starter whisky. Probably right where you put it in the lineup. I remember all those grassy flavors but mine was pale like straw. Really not much different than an Arran 10 or Glen Cadam. Really surprised you didn't pickup any dark fruit with that dark color.
@@thewhiskyfriend nothing wrong with a good 46% bourbon matured whisky. The only one I stocked up on is the old Arran 10. Haven't tried any since the rebrand. This D12 I always want to replace, so now I'll look for a nice rich color, just for curiosity. They generally seem pale for the last few years. The change in the GlenAllachie 12 was visually dramatic but that's got the sherry.
I saw a huge colour change with between my last 2 Deanston 18’s. I’m only on my first 12 now but it seems just as dark as my last 18. I’ve had a look online and it’s still ex-bourbon I think. Could that just be down to an especially active cask?
I got the darker one last year and tasted as soon as i recieved it. It's crazy that the batch difference is so big, I asked for a full refund cause i thought it was some faked stuff(but i kept the bottle cause i opened it) . Today when i taste it is fine, it feels like a Glenmorangie 14 port wood, applely and full of red fruit, but i don't think that's a good thing that the fomular chaged so dramaticly.
it would be boring if naturally produced whisky tasted the same every time....would be impossible to do anyway....im all for the batch variation and i loved this one my friend....next one will vary again...well done Deanston....
This color change reminds of the Old Pulteney 15 which became darker as well. I am not not quite surprised since Ralfy compard two different Ledaigs 10 and explained a bit the batch variations. I would not even be surprised when the next batch would become brighter again. To me it seems the distillery is mixing everything together what is left in the casks but not in a bad way, more in the way that additional casks are enhancing the flavor and subsequently the color. Would you share the bottle code with us? Cheers mate!
Hi Alan, wow, my deanston 12 isn’t has dark, thought the 12 was just ex bourbon casks, looks like the cask mix has been changed. Ledaig 10 has also got darker over the last few years. Slàinte Alan, Doon The Hatch 🥃👍
Nice review! Compared to what I'm used to that looks absolutely soaked in PX! 😄 Glad it didn't cover up the Deanston character too much. A bit extra spice, sticky sweetness and Dunnage isn't a bad thing! Still, quite the change in colour compared to what I'm used to.
Deanston 12 has always been a good one Alan. Batch variations, casks manipulation who knows but that is a significant color difference. I noticed very noticeable color difference between two different years of Ledaig 10. I contacted the distillery and sent them the pictures as well to see if they can shed some light but unfortunately they never responded. As long as they don't do colorant nonsense and if these drams are improving then who are we to argue? Cheers!
Interestingly this looks like my Deanston oloroso cask strength 2008. Perhaps some of these casks have been used in the mix. Could that be possible? Wouldn’t they mention it?
Alan, This sounds more like a blending of New Virgin Oak with 1st/2nd Fill ex bourbon….i doubt there is any sherry wood influence in this based on your notes 🤷🏻♂️
I've noticed color variations as well with this one. Glad to see you diving in to determine whether it's drinking differently. Cheers!
Hey Jacob, hope your well buddy... Yes this was certainly a different Deanston 12...but very nice fella....
I got a bottle last week, looks like your old bottle for colour. I put this above glencadam easily. For my taste. Def salty in there, i love it. Great video. 🥃
That little salty note just balances out the sweetness beautifully.... We'll Done Deanston...
Hello. I do not remember seeing that kind of colour. Crazy! Thanks for sharing, and yes, I also have that dream of lower cost, and high quality. Cheers!
Really looks like there not that interested in batch variation at Deanston Jon... As long as the whisky is good... And boy is this one good... Cheers my friend...
Loving how distilleries are embracing batch variation. Need to keep an eye out for one of these. Campbeltown Loch batch 2 & 3 have a color variation like this. Also had two batches of AnCnoc 18 both from 2020 that were light and dark. Of the Campbeltown's love the dark one more. Of the AnCnoc's it's the light one I love. You never know but the variation just makes for more different things to experience. Cheers Alan
Deanston is a favorite.there was a green label I think a 10 year just above the VO I LOVED. deanston base docent get enough respect
this one is a belter Emily, massive batch variation to my last one...i dont mind the batch variation if the whisky is good and this is very good.....thanks for dropping in....
Emily that was the awesome Deanston 10 PX🥃😊
@@Richie.Z thanks Twinn I don't usually love PX but man that was good
I really didn’t like my first bottle of Deanston 12, bought another bottle maybe 2 years later and loved it. Really interesting to see it getting so dark in colour.
It's a belter fella...
It's been a few years since i've had a 12 year Deanston. tends to be the 18 that I reach for but I see similar changes from batch to batch with Ledaig, another Distell product. With different barrels used from year to year there should always be some colour variance (Dalmore take note), some casks will be lightly used some might not be, influencing not just the colour but the nose and the flavours.
I don't always like that musty flavour that you mentioned, wasn't keen on the Deanston Chronicles until I had got half way down the bottle but in the 12 and 18 that grassy, tropical bourbon forward note just works so well.
I have also picked up a second bottle of Deanston 12 and it is much darker than what's left in the old bottle but its still amazing juice if not better. I thought to myself that's really dark for mostly bourbon.
More first and 2nd fill ex bourbon casks I believe.. Still great juice... We'll done Deanston....
Thanks for reviewing Alan.
Not the biggest Deanston fan myself. But great that Deanston seems not to care about colour consistency. Bonus points for them.
Slàinte mhath
One of these days I'm gonna do a whisky that you like Frank... Thanks for dropping by as always my friend
@@thewhiskyfriend No worries Alan. Please stick to your own preferences. Keeps you authentic.
I think you enjoyed the Deanston at my restaurant!
Hi Alan, are there any mentions on the bottle about the casks? Deanston 12 ist typically bourboncask matured and this Information is mentioned on the back of the bottle. greetings from germany
More first and second fill bourbon cask than usual... Thanks for dropping by my friend....
@@thewhiskyfriend 🤯 means no cherry casks involved ? Wow
I was waiting for some type of sherry cask influence with that color (or the dreaded addition of E150, which would have been a big surprise by Deanston 😯). Like others have commented, I like batch variation as long as I don't end up with a bad surprise 😉. Speyburn 15 has been doing it nicely as well. Cheers!
i dont mind batch variation either Drew as long as the whisky is good and the Deanston is damn good my friend....cheers for dropping by fella....
Just bought a 750 ml bottle in USA and whisky is very dark. I have a 50 ml sample that is straw colored. Think they are adding color, wish they wouldn't.
No added colour my friend, think its just more active casks....
The D12 was a great starter whisky. Probably right where you put it in the lineup. I remember all those grassy flavors but mine was pale like straw. Really not much different than an Arran 10 or Glen Cadam.
Really surprised you didn't pickup any dark fruit with that dark color.
Pretty sure it's mostly first and 2nd fill bourbon cask fella... Thanks for dropping by my friend
...
@@thewhiskyfriend nothing wrong with a good 46% bourbon matured whisky.
The only one I stocked up on is the old Arran 10. Haven't tried any since the rebrand. This D12 I always want to replace, so now I'll look for a nice rich color, just for curiosity. They generally seem pale for the last few years.
The change in the GlenAllachie 12 was visually dramatic but that's got the sherry.
Right now, i have a Dalmore port wood. Like it a lot, and it ain't 40% haha
Is it 43%...lol...
@@thewhiskyfriend haha, no, believe it not, it is 46,5 %
I saw a huge colour change with between my last 2 Deanston 18’s. I’m only on my first 12 now but it seems just as dark as my last 18. I’ve had a look online and it’s still ex-bourbon I think. Could that just be down to an especially active cask?
Think it's more first and second fill bourbon... And yes active casks... Thanks for dropping by my friend
That is a dark one.
I do like my lighter Deanston but I have not tried the darker yet.
I got the darker one last year and tasted as soon as i recieved it. It's crazy that the batch difference is so big, I asked for a full refund cause i thought it was some faked stuff(but i kept the bottle cause i opened it) . Today when i taste it is fine, it feels like a Glenmorangie 14 port wood, applely and full of red fruit, but i don't think that's a good thing that the fomular chaged so dramaticly.
it would be boring if naturally produced whisky tasted the same every time....would be impossible to do anyway....im all for the batch variation and i loved this one my friend....next one will vary again...well done Deanston....
@@thewhiskyfriend Yes, they are bold and down for their community, but from a new fan point of view that's too much and out of expectation.🤣
This color change reminds of the Old Pulteney 15 which became darker as well. I am not not quite surprised since Ralfy compard two different Ledaigs 10 and explained a bit the batch variations. I would not even be surprised when the next batch would become brighter again. To me it seems the distillery is mixing everything together what is left in the casks but not in a bad way, more in the way that additional casks are enhancing the flavor and subsequently the color. Would you share the bottle code with us? Cheers mate!
Is it normal for an ex-bourbon single malt to be so dark? Even with first fill casks?
Hi Alan, wow, my deanston 12 isn’t has dark, thought the 12 was just ex bourbon casks, looks like the cask mix has been changed. Ledaig 10 has also got darker over the last few years. Slàinte Alan, Doon The Hatch 🥃👍
It's so dark David I believe it has more first and second fill bourbon than usual... And some great casks... Thanks for dropping bye my friend..
Nice review! Compared to what I'm used to that looks absolutely soaked in PX! 😄 Glad it didn't cover up the Deanston character too much. A bit extra spice, sticky sweetness and Dunnage isn't a bad thing! Still, quite the change in colour compared to what I'm used to.
No px buddy... Just more first and second fill bourbon and some active casks... Wonderful stuff... Thanks for dropping in...
@@thewhiskyfriend Not even virgin oak, Wow. Cheers friend 🥃
Correct my friend...
s it just me or does the deanston 12 taste a lot like craigellachie 13?
Its great stuff now..less floral than before..Yummy!😋🥃
Was it as dark as mine?
@@thewhiskyfriend well,much darker than 2021 purchase!🥃😋
Deanston 12 has always been a good one Alan. Batch variations, casks manipulation who knows but that is a significant color difference. I noticed very noticeable color difference between two different years of Ledaig 10. I contacted the distillery and sent them the pictures as well to see if they can shed some light but unfortunately they never responded. As long as they don't do colorant nonsense and if these drams are improving then who are we to argue? Cheers!
I'm not fussed on batch variation fella as long as the juice is good.. And this batch is very good... We'll done Deanston..
Ledaig 10 used to be coloured. They stopped it a year or two ago IIRC.
@@TasmaniaIsAHole That may explain the color difference as the previous offering was a shade but noticeably darker. Thanks!
Is the colour natural? No E150 dropped in.
Natural fella...
Deanston 12 and Virgin Oak were very similar IMO. The new presentation of the 12 differentiates itself more from the VO. On purpose?
Al…did you buy it from the distillery ?
Amazon fella.... Its lovely
@@thewhiskyfriend cheers Al. It looks totally different from the 12s I’ve stashed away . Slainte 👍🥃
Interestingly this looks like my Deanston oloroso cask strength 2008. Perhaps some of these casks have been used in the mix. Could that be possible? Wouldn’t they mention it?
@@michaelwood3203 judging by the colour, im sure it has much more sherry in the mix.
This is a bottle I'd love to get my hands on. Unfortunately, it's no cheaper than $125 USD here in the US... quite a bit more than 38 pounds.
Only about $70 in the US for the 12
Alan,
This sounds more like a blending of New Virgin Oak with 1st/2nd Fill ex bourbon….i doubt there is any sherry wood influence in this based on your notes 🤷🏻♂️
I also don't think there is any sherry in it fella....
As far as i knew, i liked the 12 Deanston. But i believe it was a bourbon cask. so the darkness looks kinda fake.
This one is bourbon cask but more first and second fill and I'd say super active casks to deliver that colour....