Deanston 1997 - Single Malt Scotch Whisky - 28 years old -

Deanston Distillery

Situated on the banks of the River Teith, near Doune in the Scottish Highlands, Deanston has a history quite unlike that of most whisky distilleries. Its buildings were not originally designed for distillation but for the textile industry. From 1785, the site housed a cotton mill whose activities played an important role in the region's economic development. It was only during the 1960s that the former factory was converted into a distillery, with whisky production beginning in 1966.

The conversion was notably driven by whisky merchant Brodie Hepburn. The extensive industrial buildings, access to water from the River Teith and existing hydraulic infrastructure provided the necessary conditions for a new activity. Rather than constructing a conventional distillery, the founders chose to adapt the former mill to single malt whisky production.

Water continues to play an essential role at Deanston. The River Teith supplies the water required for production and also allows the site to generate hydroelectric power. This distinctive feature reflects the continuity of the building's industrial history, as infrastructure originally developed for textile manufacturing found a new purpose in whisky production.

Deanston produces its single malt from malted barley, water and yeast. After mashing, the sugars extracted from the barley are converted into alcohol during fermentation. The resulting liquid is then distilled twice in copper pot stills before being filled into oak casks. Maturation gradually allows the spirit to develop complexity while retaining its distinctive characteristics.

Deanston's style is particularly appreciated for its waxy texture, a distinctive mouthfeel that adds body and length to the whisky. This characteristic is often accompanied by notes of cereals, honey, fruit and a certain creaminess. Depending on the casks used and the length of maturation, these aromas may develop into more vanilla-driven, spicy or woody expressions.

Deanston therefore brings together two different legacies: Scotland's textile industry and the traditional whisky-making practices of the Highlands. Its location in a former cotton mill, use of hydroelectric power and characteristic waxy whisky give it a distinctive identity among Scottish distilleries.

The Whisky Jury, Independent Bottler

Founded in 2019 in Mechelen, Belgium, by Joeri Van Den Broeck, The Whisky Jury is an independent bottler specialising in the selection of distinctive casks of whisky and other spirits. The company's name plays on the phonetic similarity between its founder's first name, Joeri, and the English word "Jury". It also reflects a simple idea: every enthusiast is ultimately the only judge of what they enjoy in their glass.

A whisky enthusiast for many years before establishing his business, Joeri Van Den Broeck decided to take the plunge despite the challenges of the cask market. Finding interesting spirits, obtaining samples and gaining access to older stocks require time, patience and extensive research. The Whisky Jury's first selection, a Ben Nevis distilled in 1995 and matured for almost 24 years, was released in 2019. This inaugural bottling, drawn from a refill hogshead, produced 245 individually hand-numbered bottles.

The Whisky Jury's philosophy is built around particularly demanding cask selection. Joeri Van Den Broeck explains that he asks himself one essential question before choosing a cask: would he buy a bottle of this spirit himself? If the answer is no, the cask is rejected. This approach places drinking pleasure and the intrinsic quality of the spirit ahead of the prestige of a name or the pressure to release new bottlings.

Scotch whisky was the starting point of the venture, with selections from distilleries in the Highlands, Speyside and Islay, among other regions. However, The Whisky Jury soon developed an interest in other categories, particularly rum. Bottlings of Cognac, Calvados and mezcal have also joined the portfolio. This diversity reflects a desire to discover distinctive spirits without being restricted to a particular region or production method.

The releases frequently take the form of single casks, offered in limited quantities. The company pays particular attention to the expression of the spirit and the influence of maturation. Some casks reveal the personality of a distillery through several decades of ageing, while others provide an opportunity to explore younger profiles or lesser-known styles. The distillery's name alone is never a guarantee: it is above all the quality of the sample that guides the final decision.

The Whisky Jury's visual identity is also part of its story. Its founder wanted to capture that particular moment when a whisky enthusiast holds a beautiful whisky up to the light before tasting it. The label illustration began with a personal sketch, later developed by an illustrator. From the very first release, bottles were individually numbered, reinforcing the limited nature of each selection.

The development of The Whisky Jury has relied on a network of specialist retailers and partners who share an interest in independent bottlings. Joeri Van Den Broeck has repeatedly expressed his desire not to pursue rapid growth at the expense of quality. Every new selection must offer enough interest to deserve its place in the collection.

With The Whisky Jury, independent bottling is above all a matter of curiosity, tasting and patience. From Scottish single malts to mature rums from Trinidad, Jamaica or Guyana, each release offers a particular interpretation of a spirit and its maturation. An approach in which the cask must convince through what it contains, regardless of the reputation of its origin.