Old Pulteney 23 Year Old 1984 Bourbon Cask

The distillery Pulteney, which can be found in the grey harbour town of Wick in the high north of the Highlands at a proverbial stone’s throw from Orkney, released two special bottlings for the world travellers. A 23 Year Old matured on a bourbon cask and one on a sherry cask. Let us put them head to head. Let us start with the bourbon matured, which is very pale.

The nose bursts with orchard fruit. Apples, pears, but also lime and gooseberries. The whole seems sprinkled with crystal sugar. Lemongrass, vanilla and mint. Very fresh. The coastal elements, bar some iodine, do not stand a chance.

It is oily and sweet on the palate, while quite some brine immediately joins the fray. More citrus than white fruit, now. But very fruity. Bittersweet as if from grapefruit. Soft garden herbs.

The finish is a perfect balance of sweet and salt, with only a whiff of oak.

Wow, now this is a great Old Pulteney.

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