Review 143: Old Pulteney 1997-2011 G&M for The Whisky Castle

This is an interesting one. It's a sherry matured (cask 1180) Old Pulteney indenpendently bottled by Gordon & MacPhail. Gordon & MacPhail, however, bottled specifically for The Whisky Castle, a specialty whisky shop in Tomintoul Scotland. I reviewed a very excellent 1997 Bowmore from The Whisky Castle, selected by the highly knowledgeable proprietor Mike Drury. He clearly knows how to pick out the good stuff, so I have high hopes for this Old Pulteney!

Old Pulteney 1997-2011 G&M for The Whisky Castle

Color: Amber +1

ABV: 59.8%

Aroma Neat:
Treacle/Brown Sugar, Cocoa Powder, Rubber, Latex (a bit), Cola, Sassafras/Root Beer (slightly), Nuttiness (almond/cashew paste), Floral Vanilla/Vanilla Pods, Sun-Dried Raisins, Apple Skins/Cloudy Juice, Heavily Toasted Oak (nearing char), Leather, Varnish (slightly).

Definitely well sherried, but lighter notes of vanilla and apples bring balance. There is even some of the trademark Old Pulteney nuttiness. Well, it's a trademark for me at least... In any case, I really like the nose!

Aroma Water:
Wax, Toasted Oak/Burnt Wood, Almond Paste (some peanut and cashew), Sticky Brown Sugar/Cane Syrup, Salty Caramel, Honey Tea, Varnish/Resinous Shellac, Floral Vanilla, Coconut Flesh, Sweet Cooked Malt/Cereal, Flour, Powdered Sugar (but not sweet).

Waxy and nutty compared to neat. The spirit is showing through! Rubber and other cask influenced aromas quite down. Just an FYI, when I say almond paste, I don't mean sweetie marzipan, just mashed up almonds.

Taste Neat:
Rummy Muscovado Sugar, Shaved Chocolate (milk and dark), Cola, Rubber (slightly), Oily Black Pepper, Cloves, Almond Paste.

Taste Water:
Toasted Oak, Syrupy Muscovado Sugar, Black Pepper, Peanut Oil, Nutty Dark Chocolate/Dutch Cocoa, Malt Grist/Bitterish Barley, Cola, Rubber Pellets, Salty Tar, Brine.

Very nice with water. A great balance of spirit and cask with a excellent cola/chocolate character.

Finish:
Muscovado Sugar/Rum, Roasted Nuts, Rubber/Latex (slightly), Barley Flour (tad bitter), Baking Chocolate, Cola Nut, Clove, Pepper.

Tasty and interesting, but disappointingly short. Ok, it's medium duration, but I was hoping it would be longer because I like this whisky so much.   :-)

Conclusion:
Very enjoyable nose. More sherried than most OP's I come across, but it works.

Balanced and moreish palate with a lot going for it, especially chocolate and cola.

Finish that didn't wow me at first, but improved a lot with water. Complex.

Rating: 91/100

What can I say? I'm a sucker for Old Pulteney and this sherried instance is delicious. I'd probably rate this higher, but I'm trying to rein in my scores recently. Gotta leave room at the top for the fashionable whiskies! But, I kid.

Oh, I almost forgot to thanks Claus for the sample. That wouldn't do. Thanks Claus!

Josh