This is a big nose. Arabica coffee grains, dades, twig of thyme, handful of cloves, roasted (almost burnt) nuts and fresh cream. Enticing!

It covers the palate with creamy gusto on spices. Dades make it wonderfully sweet, while some chilli peppers kick in to give the dram extra power. Slightly drying and a touch sweet and sour. Sugared orange peel. Midpalate I cannot get the association with cappuccino (very strong coffee with cream) out of my head. Very nice!

The finish is very long, drying without getting oaky and dies a sweet death.

After my escapades with the official 12 Year Old, my expectations were rather low. Boy, am I glad I was wrong. This is a wonderful Deanston, which again proves that gems can be found with the Indies, even from what appear to be weaker distilleries.