Hailing from Wick, making it one of the most northern of all Scottish mainland distilleries, the Old Pulteney is an interesting whisky in terms of both taste and character and it offers a distinctive experience. The packaging of this fine malt perfectly captures its persona and mystique with the marine imagery and the bottle itself is crafted into the shape of their stills. The 12 year old is their signature entry dram that highlights its key qualities and is (fortunately) found in most UK supermarkets and whisky stockists.
ABV: 40%
Nose
M: Quite strong alcohol but little prickle with slightly creamy finish and sea air
S: Controlled alcoholic nose, sweet, poached pears and the faintest salted caramel–a very complex nose!
T: A big hit of fresh saltiness, toffees caramels, light oaky tones and the power of the alcohol excites the senses ready for the taste!
Taste
M: Initial burn leads to butterscotch and marzipan tastes with salty after-taste. Almost like wedding/fruit cake
S: Fresh burst of toffee apples, this has a wine-like quality. Butterscotch. The salted caramel comes through.
T: The OP 12 delivers big but light from the start, taste backs up the nose, caramel and toffee with hints of apples and pears and that lovely saltiness.
Finish
M: Long, buttery and lingering toffee finish
S: A creamy finish with just enough peppery spice to warm you up. A decent length too.
T: I pretty much concur with the other boys here, I’d just add freshness and a clean pallet shouting give me more!
Verdict
M: Lovely and different malt from the team at Wick, which should form part of everyone’s go-to staples. 8.3
S: Very well-rounded, with growing complexity. Fairly unique blend of sea-side elements with sweet, creamy notes. An excellent summer whisky or starter on a tasting evening. 8.4
T: A whisky collection ain’t no collection without this, it’s a go to whisky! Light enough for these heady sunny summer days but peppy enough to hold its own in front of a roaring fire in the winter. Great for new and old whisky hands. 8.4
Top tip: dab your finger in this and spread across the back of your hand. Not as oily as say, Laphroaig, but a clear fruity quality comes through that is different to those peat monsters.
whisky unplugged 