Glenfarclas and Old Pulteney

by **badams** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 10:21 am

anyone want to comment likes/dislikes of
Glenfarclas 17 and Old Pulteney 12?

by **Reggaeblues** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 10:34 am

Haven't encountered 'Farclas 17 but hear it's very good. I've certainly enjoyed 10,12, 15, tho' I found 105 almost too sweet...

OP is one of the surprises of last year. I was given a bottle. I was also given one years ago, in my whisky infancy, and it hadn't really done anything for me,.

What a pleasant surprise! Tangy and sweet - " a very nice aperitif" as my Italian bro - in -law said at Christmas. A very fresh whisky...transparent flavours - you don't have to work too hard to enjoy it. It slips easily over the toungue - light but flavourful - leaving a long aftertaste.

As an islay freak who currently has strong ABV Ardbegs and Laphroaigs to hand, i'd rate OP as one of my absolute favourite "light" malts, along with glenmornbgie 10, which never disappoints.

by **Reggaeblues** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 10:36 am

P.S ...and extremely inexpensive! At least in UK. OP12 must be one of the best buys out there.

by **Scotchio** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 11:07 am

Tried Pulteney 12 not long back, it was ok but nothing exceptional.
N20 Salt hints with sweeter sherry notes
T21 Light feel but quite zingy.Small doses of salt,spice and nutty sherry. Vanilla/honey sweetness
F21 Medium length; toffee, salt, nuts
B21Pleasant enough, great when you're in the mood. Early evening fare. A lighter, delicate whisky somewhere between Glenmorangie and Bunnahabhain.

by **peergynt323** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 11:41 am

From what I remember of GF 17, I would say recommended. I haven't tasted it seriously though.

by **Deactivated Member** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 12:25 pm

The OP is a not bad whisky - more popular than you'd think. A slight salty edge which is vaguely reminiscent of Oban Distillers. It gets better with age though IMHO.
Glenfarclas 17 - I have a distant memory of it but sadly can't tell you much more.

by **BigMac** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 1:42 pm

Try gong for one of the independant bottlings of Old Pultney,
some very pleasent surprises between them e.g. Duncan Taylors bottlings

regards,

B'mac

by **Lawrence** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 5:32 pm

The G17 is a good whisky as is the whole Glenfarclas line up. I am beginning to appreciate Old Pulteney more and more and recently bought the 21 YO 1983 and the 17. I'm tasting the 21 at a Club meeting on Tuesday and tasted the 17 at the recent Victoria Whisky Festival and remember that it was good and that I liked it but can remember none of the other details. :roll:

by **lexvo** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 6:16 pm

I don't know the OP, but the Glenfarclas 17 is a very nice whisky.

Glenfarclas 17yo
Color: amber
Nose: sweet, red fruits, malt, almond, later even more sweetness
Taste: fruity, malt, a bit tingling, some red fruits
Finish: a bit tingling, malt, dry, medium to long, fruity, some almond?, gets dryer towards the end
Total: 84

by **Wave** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 7:48 pm

I just happen to have both of those opened and swillin' the Glenfarclas atm! :mrgreen:

I didn't care for the 'Farclas 17 when I first tried it, took my a while to appreciate the subtle sherryness of this Speysider as I'm more use to the bigger sherry bruisers of Speyside like Longmorn & Mortlach.

There's nothing really remarkable about the OP 12 though it's a nice afternoon swill. I really like the Pulteney 16 Whisky Galore, a tasty and malty coastal whisky.

Cheers!

by **Badmonkey** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 1:23 am

I'm a sucker for sweet things, but the Glenfarclas 17 is just a little too syrupy for me. I much prefer the other Glenfarclas offerings, starting with the Cask Strength 105 and going on up to the 30. Look for the Fabulous Wendy to post some tasting notes from the VWF Glenfarclas Masterclass last weekend.

Cheers

by **wieslaw** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 1:39 am

despite its name, OP is a tangy, citrusy, smoky heat-seeking dram. a satisfying alternative to those with peaty drives.

by **shoganai** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 2:06 am

For what it's worth, I remember loving Glenfarclas 17 when I had a bottle about 9 months ago. Unfortunately, about 6 months ago I had a hard-drive crash which cost me all of my tasting notes up until that point, so I can't tell you exactly how much I loved it. If my tastebud-memory is serving me correctly, I remember it being as very similar to the 12, which to me is very fruity (pineapple, fruit salad, juicy fruit gum) and fairly sherried, although I think the 17 was somewhat more "focused" (whatever that means, it's the only word that comes to mind). In any case, it's good stuff.

I've never tried Old Pulteney, although the PALCB has it on closeout right now at about $30 with a few bottles available at a store near me so I might just buy one to try when I start drinking again in March. If you're still curious then, let me know.

by **Frodo** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 2:27 am

Never tried the 'farclas 17, but the OP 12 was OK in the Highland Park 12 kind of way...

by **misa** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 3:26 am

My experience of GF 17 was that it was a tad bland. I´d go for 15 or 21 anyday. A decent dram but that´s where it stays.

by **Jon Barleycorn** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 3:45 am

OP has gotten to be a staple with me for times when I want something sweet and light rather than strong and smoky. The price is quite palatable as well.

by **badams** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 9:54 am

actually meant to say Glenfarclas 17 and Old Pulteney 17
but I didnt notice until today I put 12
anyway I like these cool not cold, straight out of the bottle, no ice at all
Should be in every Scotchers collection?
Good focused sweet speyside and an appertif from the north

by **Deactivated Member** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 11:08 am

Now he tells us :roll:

and....and....he mentioned the dreaded ICE word :shock:

I stand by my previous comment. The OP gets better with age and the 17 is a lovely drop. I'd take it over the Glenfarclas (which BTW I wouldn't refuse by any means

)
Toffee comes to mind when I think of the OP17 - sightly salted toffee.

by **Admiral** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 3:45 am

The Glenfarclas 17yo is better than the 21yo, but not as good as the 15yo, IMHO.

Old Pulteney is a great, underated dram. I really enjoy its coastal characters.

Cheers,
ADmiral

by **Deactivated Member** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 9:12 am

Well, now we know why he likes Swing.

Try warming your dram a bit in your hand, badams--you might even taste it.