The Deveron 12 Year Old is a Highland single malt Scotch whisky with an easy, approachable style that favours orchard fruit and gentle sweetness over smoke or heavy spice. Bottled at 700mL, it sits in that useful spot between an everyday dram and something you'd happily pour for a guest who says they don't usually drink whisky.

The nose leads with baked apple and pear, a little honey, and a soft malty warmth underneath. Give it a minute in the glass and you'll find orange peel and a dusting of cinnamon. The palate follows the same path — stewed fruit, barley sugar, a touch of toffee — all delivered with a rounded, unhurried sweetness.

Texture is the strong suit here: smooth and lightly oily, with none of the sharpness that can catch you out in younger Highland malts. Spice builds slowly towards the back of the palate, and the finish is medium in length, clean, and faintly nutty, drying off with a last flick of citrus.

Serve The Deveron 12 Year Old neat at room temperature, or with a few drops of water to open the fruit further. It works well alongside aged cheddar, roasted almonds, or a simple apple tart, and is an obliging after-dinner pour that doesn't demand much concentration.