Originally built as a cotton mill in 1785, Deanston Distillery sits on the banks of the River Teith in the Highland hamlet of Deanston. Once home to the largest waterwheel in Europe, the massive site still retains the industrial charm of its past — with multi-story brick buildings, narrow hallways, and no traditional pagoda in sight.

When the mill closed in the 1960s, whisky broker Brodie Hepburn saw opportunity in its scale, hydro power, and pristine water source. Deanston was born, quickly earning a reputation for its waxy spirit and uncompromising quality. Their single malts are never chill filtered and never artificially colored.

Deanston remains at the forefront of sustainability. It was among the first to release an organic single malt (in 2000) and today generates all its power from the river, even supplying surplus energy to the National Grid.

Like many distilleries, it went through several owners throughout its short history. Now under the South African Distell Group (alongside Tobermory and Bunnahabhain), Deanston enjoys a loyal following — and while independent bottlings are rare, this one is a true gem.