This Deanston 2006 was matured in ex-bourbon casks for almost a decade and then finished in Fino sherry casks for two and a half years. Deanston is doing a lot of these finishes and I must say they have gotten quite good at it.
Deanston 12 yo 2006 – Fino Cask finish (55%, OB 2019, 1608 btl.)
Nose: dry herbal notes, hay, nutmeg and some nutty notes (especially walnuts). Indeed this reminds us of a Fino sherry. Also grainy notes, potatoes and some musty earth in the background. Raisins, dried orange slices and vanilla too, as well as some olive oil.
Mouth: sweet notes (marmalade, raisins, overripe apple) overtaken by Christmas spice (ginger, nutmeg, pepper). Hints of coffee, butterscotch and nuts. Herbal tea.
Finish: quite long, dry and peppery with hints of orange peel.
Being a Fino lover, I hoped to love this, but it doesn’t entirely fulfill my expectations. The musty and grainy side bothers me a little. I prefer the Palo Cortado cask from the same series (granted, different price category). Still available from Tyndrumwhisky.