Old Pulteney

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20/11/14
Old Pulteney 17 Year Old Single Malt. Highlands, Scotland. ABV: 46%. Tasted at Purl Bar, £18 (50mL).

Colour: Amber shade 6436 on the Pantone colour chart, according to my interior architecture maestro Rae Rae.

Nose: Smooth earthy straw, blended with incense burning in the background.

Palate: Honied woody notes.

Finish: Sweet cane, woody finish. Medium length.

Comments: After a thousand drinks on my last night in London with two of my bestest but most devious friends Rae and Jimmy, my ability to break down a whisky is slightly impaired. But I would have it no other way, love these guys. Wish we lived in the same city. Wish our friend Aidi was here too!

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Old Pulteney 21 Year Old Single Malt. Highlands, Scotland. ABV: 46.00%. Tasted at The Ben Nevis Bar (Glasgow), £8.20.

Colour: Orangey gold.

Nose: A bit floral, a touch fruity.

Palate: Nice and smooth, but not necessarily something to write home about. Toasted citrus and buttery notes.

Finish: Sweet soft smoke, medium length.

Comments: Like a juvenile dwarf, it’s slowly growing on me. It’s nice, but for me it’s not going to set the world on fire.

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Old Pulteney Noss Head Lighthouse Highland Single Malt. Highlands, Scotland. ABV: 46.0%. Tasted at Helvetica.

Colour: Very clear pale straw.

Nose: Beeswax, straw and some lemon. Which sounds interesting, but it’s really not that great.

Palate: Floral hay-like flavours, quite bright. Gentle alcohol warmth.

Finish: Oily mouthfeel, subtle sweetness. Warmth builds, but flavours subside quickly.

Comments: according to my friend Marc it’s more like a “Todd Carney Sauternes, exited as a yeast infection.” Not going to be a crowd pleaser. For me I’d rate it a little higher than Marc’s assessment but it’s only average, I wouldn’t go seeking it out. As a duty free only whisky I’m sure it won’t be hard to steer clear.

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Old Pulteney 12 Year Old Single Malt. Highlands, Scotland. ABV: 40.00%. Tasted at The Windsor Hotel, $13.

Colour: Pale gold.

Nose: Maybe a hint of peppery dried apple. Similar to the Glenlivet 12 year old.

Palate: Grassy, slight (plain) corn chip like flavour. Soft mouthfeel, yet quite dry. Peppery on the palate.

Finish: Short to medium length, no alcohol heat.

Comments: Inoffensive. The glassies at The Windsor tried to take it away twice before if even had my first sip, clearly they don’t serve whisky here too often! Either that or they don’t think too much of the Old Pulteney. As I did – it’s nothing special. Not a bad drop, just fairly middling.