Still Relevant in May 2022. Well done Deanston for giving us an affordable and Integrity product. Thank you dear Ralfy for giving us genuine and invaluable knowledge. ❣

I tasted mine with you, and I think I learned more in 10 minutes than the last 20 years. Thank you.

Whisky reviewer of the year!

Have enjoyed drinking Scotch whiskies since the 1970’s. Really look forward to your videos, have learned a lot from them. Very refreshing to listen to a Scotsman’s view. Keep up the good work!

Up until yesterday, every single scotch whisky I ever had had been a gift. I got this one based on binge watching a lot of your videos. Unexpectedly easy for the alcohol content, a beautifully made single malt. I’m glad I came across your channel and happy with the Whisky. Subscribed.

Ralfy, you are a genius, I love your work. I never knew whisky could be this good, just had my first taste of this incredible dram, I am changed forever. Thank you.

Ok, you talked me into a bottle and I can't thank you enough. What an amazing dram!

I love this one, it almost flew under the radar for me with its fairly non de-script marketing but 12 years, non chill filtered, no added colour draw you in. It's such an enjoyable dram aroma, palate and finish, all balanced, all encoraging another sip. Certainly a good benchmark, especially for the price!

Deanston needs to make Ralfy the face of their product!

Just placed my order, will be re-watching this video together with you when it is delivered. Thank you for helping out the people just starting to familiarize themselves with Scottish whisky culture. As a matter of fact, I have ordered two different bottles, one Deanston 12 yo, this very whisky that you've been reviewing here, and the other is Laphroaig Brodir Port Wood Final Batch, I have no idea whether it is a good whisky or not, but it was on sale with 40% off so I decided to take the risk. P.S: I really like your jacket, it suits you perfectly ))

I tried Deanston 12 several years ago, and it is one of several that have found a permanent place on my liquor shelf.

I'd advise against the dehumidifier. The condense breath is not an issue at all. On the contrary, it blends perfectly with your rustic environment and gives the entire room an aura of classic authenticity which makes your videos truly unique.

Ralfy, i'm glad i found your channel! I'm ashamed I've only discovered scotch now at age 33, but i'm from Romania and we mainly drink wine&beer. You're a delightful man, full of knowledge and your review of multiple whisky's will help me grateful in my journey of discovering this wonderful spirit. Cheers to you!

I won this bottle for x-mas and love it! A very interesting dram with a lot of character. Thanks for the review. I always check your channel before I bu myself a bottle. I know that everyone's taste is different, but listening to you never made me bu a wrong bottle.

$63 in Alberta. Absolutely delightful dram! Cheers Ralfy!

Just got myself a bottle of this. Sipping now while watching.. so relaxing. Thanks Ralfy!

Bought a bottle after watching your review of this wonderful malt . I shared it this past new year’s with family and it was a most surprising and enjoyable dram Thanks Ralfy

Thanks, man! Your reviews have been very revealing, and inspiring! There is me drinking before Ralfy, and me drinking after Ralfy!! Cheers, always!!

First neck pour Ralfy; it's been patiently sitting in my drinks cabinet for one month.......oh and what a joy!! Quality resounds in my glass. Deanston must be using good casks, as the bourbon does indeed shine through. There's complexity, there's depth and the pleasure washes over me with every sip. My word....this is just going to get better and better with each visit. At the price point and for anyone like me that's on a tight budget, the Deanston 12 is a lot of bang for your buck. No wonder you pronounced this as a 'whisky of the year 2020'. This is certainly an old-fashioned classic. I have a connection with Sir Richard Arkwright, in that I lived close to one of his most celebrated cotton mills (near Matlock in Derbyshire). The fact that the distillery was once such a factory resonates in such a nice way. Well done Deanston on making the most of a historic building and long may you continue to produce fine whisky.

You got me sold. Gonna buy a bottle now. Sounds incredible. Nice change of pace from all the intense peat scotches I've been drinking lately.

Thank god in Germany it is about 35 Euro! No colour, non-chilled filtered. Perfect! I just ordered my bottle. Thanks a lot for this advice!

Just imagine it's not too long ago, when Deanston was out of the spotlight, deemed a low quality malt! They've worked wonders with their whisky and other producers should take note indeed. Haven't had a bad bottling from them yet. Also, Ralfy - big thanks to you for bringing Benrinnes to our attention last year! Some amazing fat nectar there... cheers!

Had a sample two months ago and liked it. When having a walk after lunch four days ago I thought of that dram, that fresh orangy and (at least for me) dessert-like quality and was quite surprised about my memory and my "longing". Two days I bought it for my birthday (today) and I must say: It's gorgeous. Thanks for the inspiration!

Thanks for your Opinion. We (my Lady and i) love Deanston too. We have the Virgin Oak, the 10yoPX, the 18yo and the 20yoSherry. Great Stuff all of them. Keep on telling your Opinion Ralfy, you are not allone. Even in Germany.! -) Greets

Deanston has been a fav of mine for several years. Love the 12, the virgin oak is always on my bar. I bought a 20 year old of theirs and it was amazing. Great choice Ralfy. I will be back in Scotland in September 2020 and Deanston is on the must-visit list.

I’ve had this on my list since this video, got a bottle last week and it’s one of nicest whisky I’ve had. Thank you Ralfy for giving us the some of the finest knowledge out there

Hey Ralfy, thank you for what you are doing. I'm trying a sample of Deanston 12 at this very moment with your review.....and i think it's a wonderfull dram. I have to buy it now! : D Still relevant in 2022. Keep the good work up and be the lighttower for every un- and expirienced malt mate along their whisky journey. Greetings from Germany :)

This was the first whisky i ever bought about 3 years ago. Half way through watching this video, i jumped out to the store and bought another one. Can't wait to taste it tonight. :D

Only have experience with a single bottling of the regular 12. Was initially very disappointed with it at first, but after a couple of weeks, it lost its significant astringency and acrid characteristics, and really, really calmed down and opened up. Pretty much became an entirely different malt after the that, and it has wonderfully unique apple, camphor, and light grain (almost syrupy) characteristics, along with some darn decent cask character as well. Became dangerously drinkable after that 2 week mark, can definitely see why you picked it as your whisky of the year. Absolutely wonderful stuff, thank you for directing us toward it. Water did nothing for me when it was still fresh out of the bottle, only oxidation and evaporation caused major improvement, at least with my bottle.

Bought a bottle of this on a recent trip to Scotland, for the price paid it's brilliant. Enjoyed this review of it too!

I really enjoyed drinking this with you! Thank you for the oppurtunity to learn!

Picked up a bottle of this at the LCBO $92.10 CAD it's sold out now no doubt because Ralfy had it as whisky of the year ! glad i got my bottle !!! keep up the good work good sir

Just ordered a bottle of this for my March Whisky, looking forward to a dram, thanks for the review/confirmation leading to the purchase.

Well I took your sage advice Ralfy and purchased a bottle of the D12 for my delight and delectation; it sits ready for that all important first neck pour and continues my engaging malt journey. I have stepped up from the usual singles and blend choices as I feel the only way forward is to maintain the principles you've outlined in so many reviews. Integrity it is and integrity it will be. I'll be letting you know how the Deanston and I get on. Slainte mhath.

Ralfy, I like the fact the air is a bit misty. It adds to the atmosphere, that so many of us Whisky folk long for in the big smoke!!🙂

oh noes, Ralfy bringing up the prices on yet another of my favourite bottles :)

Ralfy... what a dram!! Exceptional whisky thoroughly enjoyed this bottle. Keep up the good work enlightening us philistines....

I like the new 2020 jacket. It definitely goes with the barley bunnet.

Whisky of the year🥃👍

Ralfy so interesting that I had bought this a few times and loved it. Also I also felt it was a terrific classic Scottish whiskey. Having drunk probably a few hundred presentations I have this in my top ten. So I was excited to see this.

Found the last bottle in Orange County last week and I'm enjoying a wee dram tonight while watching Ralfys review, later I'll start reading "Search for A Whisky Bothy" which arrived during the holidays.

Thanks from Minneapolis Minnesota

"accessibly priced" I appreciate that all whiskys of the year on this channel are. Glenallachie 12 my regular go to, thanks man

Great review Ralfy! I will try this Deanston Whisky 12yr. as your review was very informative! Happy 10th Anniversary Ralfy!

Just today a local shop put Deanston 12 on their shelf and I was its first customer thanks to you Ralphie, I love your honesty. When I couldn't get this I picked up the Ardbeg 10. Also good but I need to be in a particular mindset to do peated malts. I know you are not a fan of non age statement whisky but my favorite single malt is Aberlour A'bunadh. The current one is a bit lower in alcohol than previous bottlings (batch 64) 59.9 % I will buy you a dram if you'd review this Aberlour.

Happens to be my very first whiskey which i did not try before I turned on this review and tasted it "with" Ralfy :) This is absolutely amazing spirit!

I like Ralfy's insight into whisky marketing. It's really good and helpful to hear this kind of unbiased opinion from somebody who knows his thing. Anyway, bottle of Deanston 12 arrived just today, will be enjoying soon :)

Happy New Year Ralfy. I think the 12 yo Deanston is terrific value at the price point in the UK. In my experience this distillery has been producing some very fine whisky over the last few years. The 12 yo Palo Cortado, 15 yo Organic & the 2008 Bordeaux finish have been really engaging. I also enjoyed the recent limited release The Union PX finish - on the pricey side but a lovely Christmas dram. The folk in the distillery are also some of the friendliest I’ve met when touring around.

Excellent review as always Ralfy. Thank you. I’m a big fan of Deanston 12, having been introduced to it by Aquavitae. My first bottle was pure gold, right from the moment that it was opened. As the level in the bottle dropped, it kept on changing and I was amazed by the flavor and complexity of this relatively cheap 12 YO malt. I immediately wanted to buy another bottle, but unfortunately could not find a single bottle locally at the time. I eventually bought one online from the UK. This was all a little over a year ago. I opened the UK bottle a couple of months ago, but immediately noticed that it was not as I had remembered my first bottle. This one had a solvent note, was harsh and just did not have the same flavor profile. It just never reached the heights of the first bottle that I so thoroughly enjoyed. Anyway, I bought another bottle locally the other day. I really hope that it will be as exceptional as the first one. It would be interesting to know whether anyone else had experienced batch variations from Deanston, particular with the 12YO. Cheers

Loving the new look of your setup, also really enjoying wearing the bunnet, it's warm, stylish, and people compliment me on it. Happy new year Ralfy!

Thank you Ralfy. I bought this about 2 months before your review. Thankfully after first taste and a few drams I bought two more bottles to tuck away. 😎

Just tried Deanston today for the first time, faboulos dram, so smooth and balanced..thanks Ralfy!

I just picked up the virgin oak non age statement for 35 bucks!! Same flavor and review as this. Spot on as a matter of fact. One thing I noticed is when I keep the whisky in the front of my tongue it’s very sweet and if I let it travel back it’s more bitter. Tiny bit of water is correct

Ralfy, you are the best!!!

It's a great dram in my opinion. It reminded me of Glencadam 10, which was a good surprise for me. I should test them side by side. Glencadam was a bit more malty if I remember correctly. Thank you for the review!

I typically go for islays, but this may be my favorite single malt period!

New subscriber. Love these videos. Enjoy watching Ralfy when his words produce foggy breathing...you know it's chilly in there.

"measured arrival..." absolute gold

Ralfy, it's good to see ya back in the new year!)

Just a suggestion Ralfy. Instead of buying a dehumidifier just take a high quality photo of the back wall of The Bothy, do your future reviews in the kitchen sat at your cask in front of a green sheet and, using Final Cut Pro ( ...other editing tools are available ) chroma-key the Bothy photo into the film. You'll be nicely warm and dry and nobody will know the difference......unless they've read this......of course. ;)

Such a good drop! Thanks for the review Ralfy!

Happy New Year Ralfy! Thank you for sharing your malt wisdom.

I just picked up a bottle. When I open it, I'll come back to this review on the third pour after I've explored alone first. Thanks for the recommendation. Cheers.

I got a bottle of Deanston 12 year old today for 68.70 Canadian, Glen Garioch 12 year old for 69.99 and a Macallan Sherry oak, the 43% one for 125 Canadian, am happy ;)

I did enjoy a bottle of Deanston 12yo last spring. It is on the cheaper side of single malts here in Norway at 45£, and it is widely available. I hadn't heard of it when I saw it in the shelf, but because Deanston had the guts to bottle it at 46% I took the risk and bought it. Will buy another bottle this year as well :)

One of the best top shelf, 12 year single malt!

I just finished a bottle of Deanston virgin oak and it’s my favorite Scotch so far it blew me away ! Even with it being NAS it was better than A lot of 12 and 15 year old single malts I’ve tried ! Cheers 🥃

I have my booze in three categories. The cheap stuff that my buddies mix with Coke or 7UP, mid-level that non-connoisseurs and those who cannot tell the difference will still enjoy, then there's the top shelf that I will make an effort to drink properly and for those friends who know what they're drinking. Basically Jack Daniels up to Crown Royal up to Deanston. Then there's the really special that's not top shelf, it's kept in my liquor safe. I have four bottles in there at the moment. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, Johnnie Walker Blue Label, Yamazaki 12 Year and WhistlePig Double Malt 18. Those four only come out on Christmas Eve, my birthday and any other special occasion.

My Deanston 12yo arrived today !! Looking forward to it.

I think that the visible breath contributes to the character of the bothy and to your persona. Don't sweat it, Ralphy! Thank you. Cheers!

Gonna buy this next week. I have some Springbank15 and Bladnoch10 arriving this week and I get paid next week so I will purchase this. Hoping for a maltazing year for you Ralfy and all!

14:50 Ralfy, don't get rid of the Bothy Mist; we want the quality as it is!!

Happy new year Ralphy, can’t wait to try out Deanston 12

Love you Ralfy, enjoying a little sip of this right now.

I'm on my second bottle of Virgin Oak and its just spectacular. I will give you another little secret. Mix your dram of Deanston Virgin Oak with Clynelish 14 on a 50/50 ratio or a 60/40 Deanstons to Clynelish ratio and get ready. This blend is STUNNING!!!!

Just picked up 2 bottles! $92 / bottle in Canada.

I saw your award video yesterday and bought a bottle of the Deanston 12 yr old today. Looking forward to nosing and tasting tonight.

Excellent choice as are the most recent Deanstons. Virgin Oak is just so tasty especially given the price. Wish the Irish producers would pull their socks up.

Happy New Year Ralfy! Not got round to Deanston yet... must put it on the list. Just too many to try ;-) Currently on a virtual pilgrimage through Campbelltown and the lowlands... so need to 'head up' to Stirling soon by the sounds of it

happy New Year Ralfy. I continue to learn a lot from your reviews. Thank you and be well.

13:35 and beyond, I AGREE 100%. It is a contract indeed and they should mention it indeed! :)

"The power of social media"....my shelf of whisky bottles (about a dozen) are all Ralphy recommendations (except two, recommended by my special agents in whisky exploration). I'm spending a lot on whisky and any advertising budgets have been wasted on me, although marketing budgets to get the bottles on available shelves are still required. Keep up the good work, and don't forget to drink lots of water and eat your vegetables too....

One of my favorite Scotches.

I'll have to keep an eye out for this one.

Aquavitae turned me on to Deanston 12 a year ago. An excellent choice! Great value.

Deanston 12 is my Desert Island scotch. If I could choose only one bottle to drink, this would be it. There may well be better and more expensive scotches, but none I enjoy so consistently. And agree on that virgin oak character!

Happy New Year Ralfy ! Loved your review and sure hope I can find a bottle here in Canada. P.S. glad to see a return to the paint chip to me it’s just more ...... let’s say (Ralfy)true to the your style.

As a Canadian, I thank you for your sympathy on the price. Over $90.

Hi Ralfy… I’ve been watching you on and off for a couple of years now. I’ve enjoyed whisky for many tens of years but have never bought a serious bottle of single malt away from supermarket offerings; and by that I mean, I’ve not seen the likes of Deanston in any main supermarket. Because of your review I decided to spend an extra £15 from the normal on offer brands (I always buy Speyside types, don’t like smoke) I’m pleased I did. Along with the Tamdhu 12, I’m now enjoying a more enriched taste experience from the norm. I can’t quite discern the varied notes of your taste spectrum but, nevertheless, I’m learning. One thing though troubles me just a wee bit. As someone who likes integrity and honesty, I can’t help feeling the array of tastes of this and Tamdhu are erring towards being contrived; infusion comes to mind. A shocking statement to the experienced whisky drinker. If I might explain, as I understand it, these (Deanston Tamdhu) like many others use casks from other alcoholic creations and it’s this process which troubles me as there is a reliance by many distilleries to acquire hardware which has been used to create a totally different alcoholic beverage. This surely means the likes of Deanston and co buy cask hardware with degree of concern perhaps. Never knowing if the casks will impart those previously revered taste notes the company might have built a reputation upon. I don’t like this although conversely, I’m not arguing about the taste experience. It’s an inner wrangle for me that a distillery has to rely upon another distiller’s (or Sherry maker) casks to enrichen their product. And that’s it really... doesn’t seem quite right. By the way, the best whisky I previously consumed was half a bottle of Teaninich 27, I sure felt unwell at the age of eighteen and didn’t appreciate it. My father scolded me as it was his 😊

Definitely gets my vote, excellent dram ;-) especially for the price!!

50 bucks at Total Wine here in Colorado.

You are the man.... superb

Just got a bottle of this, looking forward to cracking it open.

Cant go wrong with the 12 and 18! Love it.

Wish I could find a bottle in Australia. But it's all sold out. Given the NCF, NCA and higher ABV of Bladnoch 10, not to mention a higher score of 90/100, was the Bladnoch on your short list for whisky of the year?

Less than $50 in Texas ! Great whisky. We discovered it last year on our trip to Scotland. Visit if ya can. They have a cracking restaurant there too. Close to Doune castle so you can get your Monty Python Holy Grail fix as well 😎😍👍

Because of Ralfy I don't associate scotch with bad taste blends, but with sweetness,aroma and complexity of Deanston.

8:02 Thank goodness! The 10 year old Bordeaux cask presentation of Deanston which I bought a year ago was pretty poor indeed.

Got myself a bottle here in NZ for the equivalent of 45 pounds. Great drop.

Great review & whisky. Kilkerran 8yo re-charred oloroso beats it for me. 2 contenders & still only January