Old Pulteney Live Tasting - January 15-17, 2010

[Ryguy]

Welcome to the Old Pulteney Live Forum Tasting

The Whiskies

12
17
21

And any other Old Pulteneys you may have.......

Date and Time


Friday 15th January - Sunday 17th January


About...
For those of you who do not know what these are about, they run for generally 12+ hours and we all sit down (at various times) to taste a range of whiskies and share our notes and comments on the forum. Have a look in the Live Tasting forum for past events.

They are a great way to meet people on the forum, chat about your experiences and learn something new about the whiskies you have, and we all end up having a good time.

Please feel free to join in and post any comments or tasting notes you have. Tasting notes can be added using the Tasting Note tab on the postings page. (Note, the Age field on the tasting must be a number such as 7,9,10,18)

We look forward to seeing you starting Friday evening.....

[Holysinner]

Old Pulteney 12
Brand : Pulteney Expression : 12
Nose : Sweet malt, honey. After a few minutes in the glass, sea air and wet rocks. Getting brinier by the moment, now sea spray and fishing boats, deisel. Palate : Malty, sweet, with a bit of sherry character. Slight salt. Finish : Malt, dried fruits and spice, salt. Comment : The sherry notes and salt make an appearance on the palate but become much more prominent on the finish. Colour : Amber Score : 0
Age : 12 Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 43% Bottler : -	Type : Single Malt Region : Highland Water : None Ice : None Glass : Tulip Nosing Glass Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

Great dram, and a lovely bottle to boot!

[Holysinner]

Old Pulteney 15, G&M
Brand : Pulteney Expression : -
Nose : The seaside, briny elements are present from the get-go, along with chocolate, nutmeg, marzipan, and Hefeweizen. Palate : Silky mouthfeel (does that mean thin?), upfront sherry sweetness and spice. A little burnt toast. Finish : Salt at the back of the mouth, pepper and spice. Comment : Excellent nose and finish, the palate lets it down slightly as it's lacking complexity. I suspect this is from refill sherry, as there's no noticeable bourbon influence but the sherry is subdued. Colour : Amber Score : 0
Age : 15 Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 40% Bottler : Gordon & MacPhail	Type : Single Malt Region : Highland Water : None Ice : None Glass : Tulip Nosing Glass Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[pkt77242]

Nice way to get it started HS. I have three to try and might be on later tonight or tomorrow depending on if I can get my son to sleep.

My OP's
OP 12
G+M OP 1993? Sherry Cask
Scott's Selection 1977 OP

[Holysinner]

These are both very good whiskies. If I had to choose between them...I couldn't. Fortunately, I don't have to! They are variations on the same theme, and it's a theme that resonates with me.

Edit: Thanks Sean. I look forward to seeing your notes.

[Spirit of Islay]

Just noticed this !
Have 3 i can taste later.....
Am old unopened 12yo O.b.
A 14yo 25cl from Demi Johns in Edinburgh
52.18 , a cracking 7yo from the Society

[Dram fine idea]

Hi folks

I'm back (after a long absence) and have a few lovely OPs to try. It's been too long, this should be fun!

Away to charge my glass, back in a mo

Slange
Steve

[Ganga]

Have to go peruse the selection. Not sure that I have any Pulteney remaining. May have to buy one just because...and get notes up later.

Lovely notes HS. Makes me thirsty.

[Dram fine idea]

Pulteney - Official Bottling - 12 years -

Nose - Sweet, reminds me of marzipan, very 'appetising'

Taste - Lovely mouthfeel on arrival and a good mix of sweet and salty flavours - very nice - took me by surprise - I can chew this for ages - later on the salt dominates

Finish - The salt dominates, tingles away, short to medium

Comments - This wasn't a promising start - when I opened the bottle for the first time the cork split in the bottle. This whisky is much better than I remember from the last time I tasted it. I'm delighted I opened the bottle

[Spirit of Islay]

First one of the night.....

Expression - Old Pulteney 12yo O.b.
Age - 12yo
ABV - 40%
Colour - Golden Syrup
Nose - Very Malty and sweet (Honey) , Maritimey / Sea air , salty .
Palate - Quite oily especially for 40% , again Honey sweetness , almost a candied peel taste as well . A touch of saltiness as well .
Finish - Shortish dry sweetness , honeyed again
Comments - A quite mellow dram , wouldn't drink a lot of it but pleasant enough .

[pkt77242]

Getting ready to join in as well. Nice notes Steve and Gordon.
Just need to finish warming up my son's bottle.

Sean

[Spirit of Islay]

Expression - DemiJohns' 14yo Old Pulteney
Age - 14yo
ABV - 59.4%
Cask / Bottle No. - Sherry /
Colour - Dark Amber / Light Mahogany
Nose - Very Sherried , Dried fruits , spices , not sulphury liked i remembered it was !
Palate - Again big on the sherry , a touch sulphur on the palate also Cola cube sweets , not a great deal else . Eventually a bit of honeyed sweetness seems to emerge.....
Finish - Long , sherry and Cola cube sweets .
Comments - Bought From DemiJohn on Victoria Street , Edinburgh a few years ago .Fill your own little bottles , this one is a 25cl Bottle . I bought this on the way to my first Whisky Fringe when it was held up next to the RMW shop . It used to be not a nice dram ( they wouldn't let us taste it and it was bought for it's then rarity value , Pulteney single sherry casks were a bit rare....) , at least now it seems to have settled down.....even if there seems to be very little of the Pulteney coming through the sherry!

[pkt77242]

Old Pulteney 12
Brand : Old Pulteney Expression : -
Nose : Banana, melon and salt. Some porridge and malt. Palate : Briney bananas. Some melon (cantaloupe). Oatmeal with bananas on top. Finish : slight alcohol burn, medium-short finish. brine. Comment : A nice whisky. Rather salty. The banana element was very nice as well. Colour : - Score : 0
Age : 12 Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 40% Bottler : -	Type : Single Malt Region : - Water : None Ice : None Glass : - Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

82 points.

Sean

[Dram fine idea]

Good evening Sean, Gordon and anyone I've missed

Here's my next one -

Gordon & Macphail Cask Strength, Cask No 2402, First Fill Sherry Butt, Distilled 25 October 1993, Bottled 16 May 2007, 59.9% abv

Nose - First dram from the bottle - so full on it's amazing! Lots of sherry (like a proper sherry trifle). There is also an orange note and a definite almond note lurking at the back. A hint of salt eventually makes an appearance. Lovely.

Taste - Initially soft, delicate for all its strength, with sherry then almonds, and a touch of attitude/roughness which is lovely, oranges, and something like menthol at the end. Really lovely.

Finish - Gentle, deep, lasting, again an edge/touch of roughness in a good way, lasting, calming, peaceful, close your eyes and enjoy whisky. Fabulous

Comment - A really wonderful experience. I am now at peace with the world haha. Another bottle I am delighted to have opened tonight - no probs with the cork this time

[pkt77242]

Scott's Selection Old Pulteney 1977/2005
Brand : Old Pulteney Expression : -
Nose : Salted oatmeal. Wild rice, hints of melon (cantaloupe and honey dew). More salt, almost ocean water. Palate : Salted melons, and oatmeal. A little apple and yeast. Then getting more salty and it washes everything else away. Finish : Medium in length and pure brine. Comment : Did I just drink salt water? Enjoyable but towards the end the Brine takes over and washes everything else away. Colour : - Score : 0
Age : 0 Years Old Vintage : 1977 ABV : 56.9% Bottler : -	Type : Single Malt Region : - Water : None Ice : None Glass : - Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

83 points. Would be higher if the salt didn't wash everything else away towards the end.

Sean

[pkt77242]

Good evening Sean, Gordon and anyone I've missed

Here's my next one -

Gordon & Macphail Cask Strength, Cask No 2402, First Fill Sherry Butt, Distilled 25 October 1993, Bottled 16 May 2007, 59.9% abv

Nose - First dram from the bottle - so full on it's amazing! Lots of sherry (like a proper sherry trifle). There is also an orange note and a definite almond note lurking at the back. A hint of salt eventually makes an appearance. Lovely.

Taste - Initially soft, delicate for all its strength, with sherry then almonds, and a touch of attitude/roughness which is lovely, oranges, and something like menthol at the end. Really lovely.

Finish - Gentle, deep, lasting, again an edge/touch of roughness in a good way, lasting, calming, peaceful, close your eyes and enjoy whisky. Fabulous

Comment - A really wonderful experience. I am now at peace with the world haha. Another bottle I am delighted to have opened tonight - no probs with the cork this time

Steve, that is my next and final OP. I really enjoy it as well.

[Spirit of Islay]

Expression - SMWS 52.18 "Rock, salt and nails in a shotgun"
Year - June 2001
Age - 7yo
ABV - 66.3%
Cask / Bottle No. - Refill Barrel / 1 of 228 Bottles
Colour - Light Gold
Nose - Stewed fruits , Maritimey , Opal Fruits (Starbursts ?) especially the citric ones..... Very fresh smelling !
Palate - Again fresh and fruity on the palate , peppery , lovely vanilla drifts across the tongue . again Juicy opal fruits , Excellent .
Finish - Long ,
Comments - I wouldn't have tried this one if it wasn't for Steve behind the bar at The Vaults , ended up buying a bottle, the lesson is these guys know their stuff don't be afraid to ask their advice , My first Society Old Pulteney , Dangerously Drinkable for 66%+ and glorious for 7yo !

[Spirit of Islay]

Well that's all my Pulteneys , i'll be over in the SOI chatroom if anyone fancies a natter .

[pkt77242]

Het DFI!! Haven't seen you around for ages!
And Hi to the rest of you guys too!

I have only the 12yo available at the moment having finished a 15yo single cask recently. I could post the old notes for that, but that would be cheating...

I say post them Nick, it may help someone out.

My Chicken wings just got done, I had better hurry up and taste my final OP.

[pkt77242]

G+M Old Pulteney single sherry cask
Brand : Old Pulteney Expression : -
Nose : Loads of sherry. Walnuts, oranges, and some meatiness (ham and roast beef). A faint rubber (sulphur) but enjoyable at this level. Some leather after a minute or two (maybe new leather). Palate : Faint rubber, but then loads of oranges and walnuts. The meatiness is still there maybe corned beef or honey baked ham. Some cinnamon as well. Hints of tobacco shows up as well. Maybe a hint of toast. Finish : Long finish. Salted walnuts and orange salad seems to linger for long time. Comment : Just a great whisky. I could savor this finish for 5-10 minutes easily. Colour : - Score : 0
Age : 13 Years Old Vintage : 1993 ABV : 59.9% Bottler : G+M	Type : Single Malt Region : - Water : None Ice : None Glass : - Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

91 points. My taste buds want more. If you like sherry, this bottle is definitely worth getting (though I have only seen it at TWE).

Sean

[Spirit of Islay]

Mmmm Blue Stilton goes very well with CS Pulteney......

[Dram fine idea]

Hi Nick!

Yes it's been too long but it's great to be back!

Gordon & Macphail Cask Strength, Cask No 5469, First Fill Sherry Butt, Distilled 15 October 1990, Bottled 26 May 2006, 59.0% abv

Really good notes for this one were posted by Treacle Sponge - Christmas Drams - 13 December 2008 - I couldn't come close - honest!

Tonight, to begin with, I found the sulphur notes on the 1990/2006 a tiny bit frustrating after really enjoying the 1993/2007 - see above. However I persevered and I'm again at peace with the 1990 whisky (and with the world)

If it's still available I would really recommend the 1993/2007 Gordon & Macphail. I'm not a huge fan of sherried whiskies but it really is lovely - possibly the distillery character adds a dimension

That's me for tonight, till the next time have fun, be happy and take care

Slange
Steve

PS I'll try and check in again later - it's been a hoot

[Ganga]

Finally getting a chance to put up some notes from a very recent tasting.

I've got the Pulteney Cask 4930 , 17 yo and Isabella Fortuna.

Pulteney Cask 4930
Brand : Pulteney Expression : Cask 4930
Nose : Briney, grain straw Palate : Bananas, brine, meringue Finish : short, creamy bananas Comment : - Colour : - Score : 0
Age : 17 Years Old Vintage : 1990 ABV : 57.8% Bottler : OB	Type : Single Malt Region : Highland Water : no Ice : no Glass : Glencairn Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[Ganga]

Pulteney 17
Brand : Pulteney Expression : 17
Nose : Briney malt, cocoa Palate : seashore and grains Finish : short, briney Comment : - Colour : - Score : 0
Age : 17 Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 46% Bottler : OB	Type : Single Malt Region : Highland Water : no Ice : no Glass : Glencairn Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[Ganga]

Pulteney Isabella Fortuna WK499
Brand : Pulteney Expression : Isabella Fortuna WK499
Nose : Cocoa, oak Palate : Salty, doughy Finish : long, salty Comment : - Colour : - Score : 0
Age : NAS Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 52% Bottler : OB	Type : Single Malt Region : Highland Water : no Ice : no Glass : Glencairn Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[Ryguy]

Better late than never I suppose!

Expression - SMWS 52.18 "Rock, salt and nails in a shotgun"
Year - June 2001
Age - 7yo
ABV - 66.3%
Cask / Bottle No. - Refill Barrel
Colour - Bright Gold
Nose - Light citrus fruits, with sea salts and a whisp of campfire smoke.
Palate - WOW, a huge blast of salt, then it becomes bright like a fresh cut fruit salad.
Finish - The finish is long with something sweet like candy and a bit of salt towards the end.
Comments - A very interesting bottling indeed, very much different from the standard OP bottlings, and much better, that's for sure!

[Ryguy]

I had a sample of this one handed to me the other day, so here goes.

Expression - Old Pulteney Millenium
Year - 1982
Age - 15yo
ABV - 59.4%
Colour - Dark gold
Nose - This is clearly a sherry cask. Full of dark fruits, some rubber and also chocolate fruitcake?
Palate - Very full bodied, not your typical OP that's for sure. Starts really sweet and fruity, then some burnt rubber with a bit of maritime notes and some smoke.
Finish - The finish is long and drying, becomes fruitier towards the very end.
Comments - This is completely different from any other OP's that I've had, it has a huge sherry influence that's for sure.

[pkt77242]

I had a sample of this one handed to me the other day, so here goes.

Expression - Old Pulteney Millenium
Year - 1982
Age - 15yo
ABV - 59.4%
Colour - Dark gold
Nose - This is clearly a sherry cask. Full of dark fruits, some rubber and also chocolate fruitcake?
Palate - Very full bodied, not your typical OP that's for sure. Starts really sweet and fruity, then some burnt rubber with a bit of maritime notes and some smoke.
Finish - The finish is long and drying, becomes fruitier towards the very end.
Comments - This is completely different from any other OP's that I've had, it has a huge sherry influence that's for sure.

Sounds yummy Ry. Sounds somewhat similar to the G+M Old Pulteney's from sherry casks.

[Stewart]

OLD PULTENEY 12

COLOR: Light gold
NOSE: Salt, slight smoke, honey, apples, very slight sherry, slight mustard, and spice somewhere between cinnamon and pepper
BODY: More than thin, less than medium
PALATE: Semi-sharp attack, a mixture of salt and thin honey-syrup, some light spice, young white wood
FINISH: Short to medium...some light smoke/fire fills the nostrils
COMMENT: enjoyable, inexpensive representation of whisky placed between an Islay and a more inland-type but not as memorable as others. A little water bring out some butter and makes it a bit smoother, but otherwise detracts from the experience. It is tasty and good value for the money spent. A good addition for everyday drinking and light occasions. But I still prefer and find more interesting, other whiskies in the same general price range, like Highland Park 12 and Johnnie Walker Black. I liked reviews of the 17-year-old but was deterred by the price. Next time, I'll gamble on the 17.

[Ryguy]

Very nice Stewart, thank you for the notes!
Be sure to check out what else is going on over in the Live Tasting Forum. Next weekend (well, pretty much the entire month of April) we are hosting a Japanese Whiskies tasting. Hope to see you around!