Old Pulteney 23 Year Old Sherry 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 end with the sherry matured, which is not as pale, but still paler than expected. Refill sherry cask?

Hmmm, the nose shows a lot of the same characteristics as the bourbon matured, but is a lot sweeter. More fruit. The orchard fruit returns, but is now upholstered with berries from the woods and blood oranges. A lot of honey and some toffee. Pineapple on the grill. Juicy. The typical coastal traits are now limited to a soft salty sea breeze.

It is very luscious on the palate. Silky soft. Loads of fruit, again, including raisins (ah, the sherry kicks in). Mildly floral. Lavender? More silt, now. More coastal in general. Yes, very spicy while you chew it. Tastes like a slice of orange sprinkled with salt. Very nice.

The finish is longer, spicier and drying. Very dry at the death.

This is as lovely as its bourbon cask brother. Pity that both are so extremely expensive.

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