Did I review something from Chorlton Whisky before? I don’t think I did. So that’s a good reason for a blog post. Also, I’ve been wanting to familiarise myself more with Deanston, ever since I tasted this release last year. I’m really killing two birds with one stone here.
I don’t know much about Chorlton Whisky, except that I like the clean look of their labels. Almost minimalist, except the artwork isn’t of course. The company’s website is equally spartan. Here’s how the founder introduces himself:
“Hello, I’m David from Chorlton Whisky. On this site you’ll find details of my independently-bottled whisky, events and reviews.”
And that’s it, besides a few quick links to social profiles. (The reviews are nowhere to be found.) I’ve previously been critical of a lack of background information, but for some reason Chorlton Whisky just strikes the right chord here. Everything signals the same message: “It’s about the whisky, stupid!”
Deanston 14 Years (52.6%, Chorlton Whisky, 2023)
Nose: Sweet barley, gentle waxes, pollen. Yep, we’re off to a good start. There’s also a slight minerality, but also gentle citrus fruits, some coconut and a tinge of walnut skin. Finally a gentle hoppiness.
Taste: Good mouthfeel. Slightly waxy even, which keeps the (white) pepper notes in check. Also hints of peaches, mellow grapefruits notes and a nice breadiness. A touch of custard as wel.
Finish: Medium length. Lingering waxes, malt and subtle spices, as well as vibrant citrus notes.
Photo: Whiskybase
I love Chorlton Whisky, which seems to me to be a one-man-and-a-lockup operation. Straightforward whisky, lovely labels, sensible pricing. I’ll pop in to Cut Your Wolf Loose here in Brighton today to see if I can get a sample of this Deanston; thanks for the review. CYWL have both samples and the odd full bottle to buy.