My first taste of Old Pulteney 12 pulled me in and got me interested, but it was my first taste of Old Pulteney 17 that turned me into a fan. Since then I’ve had all the core, and some Indies, and this Old Pulteney Single Cask 231 is without a doubt one of the best casks/expressions I’ve had from this amazing and often overlooked distillery. It’s VERY quickly become one of my favorite whiskies of the year.
It’s not a massive, bold or brash delivery. It’s not a deep brooding whisky and instead sits at the other end being a light, and slightly buttery, whisky that delivers in nuances and surprising moments. I know I’m already waxing a bit poetical about this whisky, but I think once you read the Scotch review below you’ll understand why.
2004 Old Pulteney Single Cask Review: Details and Tasting Notes
This exceptional cask from the gorgeous little distillery in Wick is the first we’ve ever had directly from Old Pulteney. Distilled in late 2004 and filled into and ex-bourbon barrel, the whisky was bottled at the end of last year without any dilution or filtration of any kind. Old Pulteney, despite wining nurmerous accolades, remains one of Scotland’s great unsung heros in the Highlands.
Details (price, mash bill, cask type, ABV, etc.)
Region: Highlands, Scotland
Distiller: Old Pulteney
Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: ex-Bourbon
Age: 13 Years
ABV: 55.2%
Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Barrel: 231
Price: $110
Tasting Notes
EYE
Golden honey
NOSE
Salty sea air, malty sweetness, fruity sweetness (banana, apricot, dried orchard fruits), buttery graham, spice and touches of leather.
PALATE
Almost a carbon copy of the aroma with deeper notes of malty sweetness, fruity sweetness (banana, apricot, dried orchard fruits), graham, saline, spice, buttery pastry and touches of leather.
FINISH
Med-long -> Buttery malt, banana, caramel and spice.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Great sense of balance, round-full body and a heavy oily feel.
Old Pulteney Single Cask 231 Review: Overall and Score
I’ve had a decent amount of Old Pulteney in my life and this is one of the best expressions I’ve had. The Aroma is complex and aromatic with layers of spice, malt, fruit and a light maritime character; Palate hits the same notes but with a butterier delivery; Finish carries it through buttery and sweet. I’m a little obsessed with this whisky right now.
Water deepens this Old Pulteney Single Cask 231 more and brings out some added banana bread notes on the aroma and the palate gets a bit waxy – reminding me, slightly, of a good Clynelish. This is a great whiskey.
As a general rule I’m a big fan of ex-Sherry aged whisky, but certain distilleries I think it’s more a hindrance than a help and Old Pulteney is one of those. I love ex-Bourbon Old Pulteney because they make such a great malt I don’t want it covered up, I want it shown and expressed like it is here. This… this is a great Old Pulteney.
SCORE: 91/100 (A-)
Old Pulteney Single Cask 231 Review 110
- Nose - 90
- Palate - 92
- Finish - 91
- Balance, Body & Feel - 91
Old Pulteney Single Cask 231 Review Summary
Old Pulteney Single Cask 231 is the embodiment of all that is Old Pulteney. This is an exceptional and elegant cask I don’t want to end.
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