Deanston 12 Year Old 2008 Oloroso Cask Matured vs Enso Japanese Whisky

Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Deanston 12 Year Old 2008 Oloroso Cask MaturedEnso Japanese Whisky
DistilleryDeanstonEnso
RegionHighland
CountryScotlandJapan
TypeSingle MaltBlended
ABV52.7%40%
Age12 yrNAS
Price£72.9£52.75
Rating5.00/54.40/5

Deanston 12 Year Old 2008 Oloroso Cask Matured

Smoke0/100
Sweetness51/100
Beginner50/100
Value69/100

Enso Japanese Whisky

Smoke0/100
Sweetness66/100
Beginner90/100
Value83/100

Deanston 12 Year Old 2008 Oloroso Cask Matured

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Enso Japanese Whisky

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Deanston 12 Year Old 2008 Oloroso Cask Matured is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.40).

Enso Japanese Whisky is better value at £53 vs £73.

For beginners: Enso Japanese Whisky is more approachable (90/100 beginner score).

Deanston 12 Year Old 2008 Oloroso Cask Matured

Pros

  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (52.7%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£72.9 vs £52.75)

Enso Japanese Whisky

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +More affordable (£52.75 vs £72.9)

Cons

  • Lower community rating (4.4 vs 5.0)

Who should buy Deanston?

Deanston 12 Year Old 2008 Oloroso Cask Matured is for enthusiasts who appreciate cask-strength intensity. Best enjoyed with a few drops of water to open up the flavours. Not ideal for casual drinking or beginners.

Who should buy Enso?

Enso Japanese Whisky is an ideal first whisky — sweet, approachable, and widely available. It's a great gift and a safe choice for anyone new to whisky or who prefers lighter, friendlier drams.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Honey

Only Deanston 12 Year Old 2008 Oloroso Cask Matured

SherriedDried FruitToastedNutty

Only Enso Japanese Whisky

VanillaFresh FruitMalt Extract

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