Back to reviewing the new limited editions for 2018 from Distell distilleries and after reviewing earlier today the Deanston limited edition for 2017, we’ll now focus on the 2018 edition, the Deanston 2008 Brandy Cask Finish.

Like its predecessor, it’s a 2008 vintage matured for almost 8 years in ex-bourbon casks and then trasferred to Brandy casks for two years before being bottled at 56.4%. No official bottles count was released but availability seems somewhat limited comparing to the Bordeaux from 2017.

Deanston 2008 Brandy Cask Finish (56.4%, £54.95/€66,99)

Nose: Oh this is a sweet one. The Brandy impact is there with sweet white wine, grapes, nuts and sultanas. subtle pepper, vanilla, bread-y and creamy. With a few drops of water it’s spicier and the bread-y note turns to multi-cereals health bread.

Palate: Spicy pepper, sweet brandy, sweet white wine, honey, nutty with lots of walnuts, fizzy candies, vanilla brioche, cinnamon and more nuts. With water it’s nuttier and spicier with added gentle oak spice, more cereals and also nutmeg.

Finish: Short medium length, creamy, lingering sweet white wine, gentle fizzy spiciness and nuttiness.

Thoughts: The Brandy cask is pretty dominant here to the level that I may thing it’s perhaps a bit too much but it’s a fruity and sweet whisky for daily drinking. But it’s not as complex as the Deanston 2008 Bordeaux (the previous limited edition) and if I had to choose one between them, I’d go with the Bordeaux.