Whisky : Old Pulteney 19 Year (1997) Cask 1638

Country/Region : Scotland/Highland

ABV : 56.1%

Cask : Oak

Age : 19 Year (Distilled 1997, Bottled 2016)

Nose : Mellow and subtle with fruit, salt, and wood. Snacking on salted plums and pop-rock candies while watching the tide wash over the rocky shore. Fruit and licorice called to mind margaritas and seaside sweets enjoyed on the pier— strawberry licorice and licorice-flavored saltwater taffy.

Palate : Medium to full-bodied with oily notes of fruit and sea. The wife found an impenetrable wave of licorice and summer fruit that sat snuggly across the palate. I imagined salted fruit candies, licorice, and medicinal herbs, which reminded me of children’s cherry-flavored Tylenol (but much tastier). Herbs and fruits developed into horehound, cola, sarsaparilla, licorice candies— a tour through an old-fashioned candy shop. Hints of oaky, slightly herbal, bitterness at the end.

Finish : Lingering herbal candies and fruit with a kiss of salt.

Score : 6

Mental Image : Ye Olde Seaside Candy Shop

Notes : I have to imagine that this matured in a refill sherry cask with subtle fruits balanced against the slightly salty-herbal malt. This Old Pulteney was incredibly gentle, and the wife was surprised just how little heat or spirit notes appeared— it was the embodiment of smooth and easy drinking.

Of course, the problem with really enjoying any single cask whisky, much less one bottled five years ago, is often the impossibility of ever trying it again. This cask was lovely, and it left me curious to try some older Old Pulteney to see if similar old-fashioned candy store notes appear or if this bottle was just a bit weird. Indeed, none of the younger ones I have tried had these subtle nostalgic notes.

Overall, this was quite the treat and showcased the subtle balance between salt, malt, and fruit. While the wife thought this was a bit licorice-centric for her taste, I found enough other interesting aspects to this to dig in and enjoy it. I am not sure the bitter note toward the end played nicely with the other elements; it detracted a bit from the experience and only grew more prominent with water added.

Image Credit: Whiskybase