Old Pulteney 23 yo 'Bourbon' (43%, OB, bourbon casks, +/-2011)
Colour: straw. Nose: despite the low strength, this one bursts with
fresh garden fruits such as gooseberries and green apples as well as
tangerines, all that on a bed (so to speak) of rather limey herbs (lemon
grass, coriander, then mint and fennel) and the expected brine. It’s
very fresh and kind of young (pleasantly so), with only touches of
vanilla and straight oak. After fifteen minutes, some very nice notes of
camphor coming through, something slightly medicinal, and more vanilla.
Mouth: good body at 43% vol. and a profile that’s almost exactly the
same as on the nose. Same fruits, same brininess, same vanilla and same
herbs. Maybe a little more citrus fruits. Pink grapefruits? This is
excellent even if it loses steam after a few seconds (the middle could
have been a tad oomphier). Finish: medium long and very salty. Salted
orange juice? Comments: excellent, vibrant, with only a little weakness
on the palate after the very nice attack. Excellent freshness. This, at
46 or 50%!….
Words of Whisky (86)
:
ot spectacular, but a very solid Old Pulteney. A little higher in strength, and who knows?
Nose
Somewhat dusty and closed at first. This needs a little time, but then develops into aromas of vanilla (and lots of it), Granny Smith apple, peach, white grapes and a whiff of cotton candy. There's some burlap, and a fair amount of oak too. Delicate. Quite good actually.
Taste
The body is surprisingly good at just 43 percent. Sweet red apple, peach, grapes. A touch of white pepper and bitter oak. Some pomelo too. Very similar to the nose, maybe a little less sweet.
Finish
Medium in length, building on the flavours already described. Plus a pinch of salt.
Slainte mhath
