The Bottom Line
Pulteney Distillery was founded in 1826 and is the northernmost distillery on the Scottish mainland. Distillery Manager, Malcolm Waring, continues the traditional, old-fashioned methods of the historic distillery, including the unusual wash still, worm tubs and no computers or automation in the whisky production. In 2007 Old Pulteney added two expressions, a 17 and a 21-year old, which exemplify the Scotch brand and have a unique, full-bodied taste due to a combination of aging in used bourbon and sherry casks.
Pros
- Thick, rich single malt Scotch.
- Award-winning, older Scotch with a full bodied taste.
Cons
- At $80 a bottle it is still out of some price ranges.
Description
- 17 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
- Produced by Inver House Distillers at Pulteney Distillery in Wick, Scotland
- Distillery Manager: Malcolm Waring
- Imported by Barton Brands
- Retails for around $80/750mL bottle
- 46% alc./volume (92 proof)
- Other expressions: 12 and 21 year old
- 2005 International Wine & Spirit Competition Gold Best in Class
- 2006 World Spirits Competition, San Francisco Double Gold
Guide Review - Old Pulteney 17 Year Old Scotch Whisky
The thick, honey color of this rich Scotch holds a smoky fruit and oak fragrance that is intoxicating within itself. There is a complex blend of flavors in the palate, marked with velvety oak and caramel and notes of vanilla, smoky cinnamon inside this full bodied, silky Scotch. The finish is equally sweet and has a memorable oak and fruit flavor.
Old Pulteney 17 Year Old is a fine Scotch, one of the best I've had and outshines many of its contemporaries. If you want to mix this, feel free but mix it in only the best whisky cocktails. Those with only the best mixers and the lightest use of them to simply compliment, but not overpower the whisky. I wouldn't go far beyond a Rusty Nail or Rob Roy, save the others for the younger expression.
