A 16 Year Old bottling of Old Pulteney which has been treated to a double maturation! Having been aged in both American oak bourbon barrels and Oloroso sherry-seasoned Spanish oak casks, the fruity and spicy nature of the casks compliment the maritime malt very well.
Rock pool salinity mixed with rum-soaked raisins and drying peppery malt.
Melted butter and cooked apple, with wafts of sea air. Cinnamon rolls and sponge cake.
Peppery oak and lingering baking spice, with just a touch more toffee.
They used to mature OP in fino sherry casks before this new batch came out and the sweet zingy apple taste perfectly married against the salty mineral taste from the sea OP was renown for. It’s why I came to OP because it made them unique that they are the only ones that do this and it won loads of awards because of it. It’s trying to reach for whisky greatness with one arm tied behind its back, with no fino sherry cask finish influence, it falls short and flat on its face.
I rarely buy "travel exclusives", I've been stung too many times. I am SOOOOO glad I trusted this one. OP 17yr old has long been a favourite of mine, as a nicely balanced, slightly sweet, fruity Highlander. If anything, this 16 yr old is better, smoother, fruitier, richer, less peppery. The Christmas cake notes are very much to the fore. God I hope they still have some next time I'm at the airport.
A perfectly balanced malt, purchased in duty free, everything you could expect from Old Pulteney
