Old Pulteney 25 Year Old replaces the highly regarded Old Pulteney 21 Years which was phased out recently. It was never my personal favourite though, I always thought the Old Pulteney 17 Years was better and less expensive. Mind that the 17 Year Old will also be phased out, to make place for a new 15 Years and 18 Years later this year.
The first 22 years were spent in American oak ex-bourbon barrels. The single malt then was transferred into Spanish oak ex-oloroso sherry butts for another three years. They stick to the standard 46% ABV.
Old Pulteney 25 yo
(46%, OB 2017)
Old Pulteney 25 yoNose: very aromatic. Lots of apricots, oranges and floral honey, hints of pineapple on syrup and a little mango. Fruit salad really. There’s a growing cocoa note behind this, as well as faint waxy touches. A little vanilla cake. Cinnamon. Something dusty as well, but it blends in nicely.
Mouth: again mostly influenced by the bourbon wood of course. Earthy notes, ginger and pepper, quite a spicy kick. Then the sweetness returns. Peaches, lime, juicy berries. Some chocolate, almonds and mentholated / zesty notes in the end.
Mouth: quite long and dry, with herbal oaky notes, wax and a subtle salty edge.
You get bourbon freshness, slightly tropical fruits and just a hint of sherry: lovely nose. On the palate the spices kick in and lead to a less impressive, dry finale. Sadly it is priced considerably higher than the 21… ouch. Available from Master of Malt or The Whisky Exchange for instance.
Score: 88/100