Enjoyably coastal single malt from Old Pulteney, this 15 year old expression matured in both bourbon and Spanish oak casks resulting in a splendid balance of sweetness and spice. Excellent stuff from this much-celebrated distillery in the Highlands.
Toffee, coffee and sultanas. Balanced sweetness of toffee and sea spray salinity.
Salted caramel cookies, green apple sharpness, sea salt and straw.
Chocolate with red chilli. A hint of spiced rum warmth.
Since remaining bottles of the 17 are harder to come by at a reasonable prices, the 15 is a good option available in the core range at widely varying prices. But here in the US, if you shop around, you can find it in the upper $80 range and it's worth it. I actually enjoy it more than the 18 which I feel is overpriced. The 18 is NOT up to the 17 and the 15 is a whisky unto itself but completely OP. It's good.
I have always enjoyed Old Pulteney 12yo in the past, so when I saw the 15yo in the Black Friday sale I thought I'd give it a go. Surely at 15yo and 46%, it would be even better than the 12. Sadly, no. It's a fair dram without water - but only just - very vanilla sweet with a hint of spice on the finish. However, with a drop of water, it disintegrates into a watery alcoholic honey. Absolutely horrible, tasting nothing like whisky. I suppose I was expecting something like a Springbank or a Glen Scotia given that OP is proclaiming it's the maritime malt but it's a pale imitation and given its near £60 price tag, I think I'll stick to the much more reasonable Glen Scotia 15yo (£48) in future.
Love it!! Never have had a bad bottle of Old Pulteney.
As someone who very much appreciates most OPs from the 12 through to the 17, in a vertical tasting, actually the OP15 really does hold its own to some of its bigger brothers. Very fruity (apples, citrus) balancing the salty seaside, good amount of background spice and sharpness kick. Less rich than OP16 and 17 (a wee bit more sherry taste to the latter two). But in the end it is the aroma complexity and taste balance that matter most to me. And at this the OP15 delivers. The 15 has more intense palette delivery whereas the OP17 a longer finish. I would rate it as a high as I do rate the old 17.
Honestly was surprised by this one. I found the new 12 year old expression fierce and bland, but this is amazing. A real sweet nose, fruity delivery and something sublime to finish.
