Deanston is a relatively young distillery by scotch standards, having been set up in 1967 and so a little less than 50 years old. It was set up in a cotton mill that had closed its doors two years earlier, which explains the rather unique look of the place – it’s one of the least distillery-looking distilleries!

It’s also a distillery I’ve never had the opportunity to taste before.

Deanston Batch 2 (49.6% ABV) is quite a pale looking dram in the glass.

The nose is light and citrussy; lemons and satsumas with soft brown sugar lurking beneath. Little touches of raw barley start to emerge, and through it all is a suggestion of greenery – more leaf than grass.

Watered, in becomes curiously heavier – the citrus notes are now overripe oranges, the barley more aged.

In the mouth it’s light and sweet; lemon sherbet on the tip of the tongue, with a distinctly acidic kick coming through.

With water, it retains the light fizzy sherbet feeling, but becomes richer and fruitier. There’s a soft old wood background too, and a tingling, almost minty finish.

I don’t drink much Highland whisky, but if this is anything to go by, perhaps I need to start. Deliciously drinkable, but perhaps lacking a little complexity? A solid 3.5 stars.

Many thanks to Master Of Malt for providing their That Boutique-y Whisky Company Advent Calendar this year.