Old Pulteney 12 hails from the Old Pulteney distillery (those crazy Scots and their crazy easy naming conventions) which was founded in 1826 and is located on the northern tip of Scotland in the fishing village of Wick. In it’s 189 years of life it’s had 8 different owners, was closed for 20 years by DCL (who became Diageo) and was resurrected and renovated into the great distillery it is today (when they stick to their basics that is).
I’ve been lucky enough to try this the Pulteney 12 year, the Clipper, the Navigator, the 17 yr, 21yr and the 30 yr and the 30 yr is absolutely sublime. It’s not hyperbole to say that it’s incredible. But we’re not here to talk about the lovely lovely 30, we’re here to talk about Old Pulteney’s work horse the 12 year. Which, as it turns out, is actually pretty good.
Old Pulteney 12 years Review
Distiller: Old Pulteney
Age: 12 years
ABV: 43%
Price: $36
EYE
Amber
NOSE
Buttery fruit like banana and apricot move out with a light honey, toffee and orange zest. A sweet malty character rides along with a bit of spice and a touch of a metallic alkalinity.
PALATE
Fruity, malty, and spicy. The spice is cinnamon heavy with bits of nutmeg sitting in there too. Vanilla and a light bit of dark sweets fill the gaps.
FINISH
Fruit, malt, a bit of citrus and spice on a medium fade.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Has an ok balance with nothing too distracting happening. A medium body and a smooth uneventful texture.
OVERALL
A good solid basic malt. The Old Pulteney 12 is the kind of whisky that’s easy to drink, easy to mix and easy on the wallet. I want a little more complexity in my daily drinkers, but this is something that’s nice and easy to sip on and I’m really digging it for what it is. Sweet malty fruity aroma and a fruity, malty, spicy flavor make for a nice combo… really not a bad little malt.
SCORE: 84/100
