Old Pulteney 17 Year

It is the best of whisky times and the worst of whisky times! We have Distilleries capable of turning out fantastic spirit at good values like Deanston, Bunnahabhain, Talisker. While others, that used to make legendary drams, are losing their mojo like (*obligatory Macallan reference), Balblair, Highland Park and Old Pulteney... Old Pulteney: An old, dusty distillery in North Scotland with an odd name that I dismissed as I began my recent whisky journey despite some whisky journalist giving them "whisky of the year" previously. The logo reminded me of old spice cologne (!?!). I pursued certain whiskies because all the reviews and "everyone" said they were great. Must have! A'bunadh and GlenDronach... Highland Park... Springbank, etc. But then I started finding the hidden gems that were almost secretly revered like Kavalan Solist, Famous Grouse 18 and Balblair 1990... and these were amazing whiskys! However, I kept seeing these comments and whispers about Old Pulteney 17. That weird-sounding distillery from Wick. I heard it was no longer produced and was able to pick up 2 bottles at reasonable price and promptly put them away for 9 months. After a while, I got a sample of Old Pulteney 12 from Europe, time to break out that OP17 that everyone raves and screams about (salty! sweet! lemon curd!) and do a comparison. The OP12 was nothing really special, very thin - the 40% abv of Europe hurt it... so I get to the OP17 and OH MY F#CKING GOD... it is amazing!!! Wow. The mouthfeel. So thick and coating! Delicious. Old Pulteney, this little old distillery, quietly making some of the best whisky in the world. But NOT ENOUGH of it! I am still fairly new to whisky and I have allergies and I am almost alway congested to some extent so my nosing and tasting notes are always a little subdued. I try to highlight the big scents and flavors, broad strokes... Nose: baking spices, cinnamon, light fruit - maybe citrus going into floral Palate: Sweet, Rich and semi-viscous. A little spicy. Coats the mouth. Lemon, vanilla and a touch of brine. Mellow and refined. Finish: Medium, baking spices and kind of creamy This whisky really delivered in a big way. One of my favorites now along with Balblair 1990, Benrinnes, (good) Edradour, Talisker. Totally unique: I cannot think of anyother whisky like it. I was heartbroken because people were raving about the OP21 and I failed to find any (at a reasonable price). I was able to get a few more bottles of the OP17 though. I love this malt. I have not tasted the new range of Old Pulteney but it doesn't sound promising. At any rate, I finally understand what everyone was talking about. Even though there are some distilleries producing great whisky, maybe some of the best they have ever done I cannot help but lament the trend of whisky overall getting more expensive for less quality. I have only been drinking whisky for a short 2 years and I feel like I have missed out on so much. This fantastic Old Pulteney 17 is for all intents gone now, along with the 21, and the world is poorer for it. So many great whiskys at reasonable prices are going extinct all around us every day now. Many already long gone... sigh. 6 months later, I was able to procure a bottle of OP21! It is different from the 17 but also very, very good! A review for another day perhaps. "This is what you want, isn't it? Look at it. The last of its kind. Like you and I. If you destroy it, the world will never see its kind again..." -Prince Nuada (Hellboy 2: The Golden Army)

I've read many positive reviews of this one. So when I found out it had been discontinued in favor of a new core-range lineup, I had to jump on it. I like the old-style 12 year, and the Navigator is pretty good too. Let's see what this retired standout is capable of. Nose: Fruit forward. Apple, plum, honeydew, banana, pear, apricot, pineapple juice, and some fresh-squeezed lemon. Vanilla, toffee, honey, marshmallow, and some malty cereal notes. Almond, walnut, and cashew. Cinnamon and sea salt. Clove and nutmeg. Oak. Classic Pulteney, which is a great representation of briny, coastal Highlander. Nice start. Palate: The heavy sea salt takes the lead. Cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and oak as well. Caramel and milk chocolate. Salt water taffy. Malt, honey, vanilla, marshmallow, and toffee. More apple, pear, plum, apricot, pineapple, peach, banana, and some bitter cranberry. Very similar to the nose, only that the spice notes present themselves first while the fruit notes are batting clean-up. It's fantastic no matter how they're arranged. Finish: Pineapple, apple, pear, apricot, orange, and plum. After the initial fruit burst I'm getting a heavy hit of the sea salt and cinnamon that I've detected throughout. Add in some black pepper and oak. And lemon citrus. And then some banana-strawberry smoothie notes before this medium-long finish. I'm not sure if it was the extra 5 years, the addition of sherry cask-influence, or the 6% bump in ABV. But there's something special happening here. I haven't had anything that I can quite compare to this. It uniquely bundles a lot of traits that I've never experienced in one single whisky. I see no reason to discontinue this, and every reason to keep it. The new 15 and 18 (which are the 2 rough equivalents to this one in the new range, according to price point) had better be sensational to justify their existence. Otherwise Pulteney just outright blew it with the remodeling of their core lineup. This is one of the finest mainland Scottish malts I've ever had the pleasure of drinking. After trying this, I'm on the lookout for the Old Pulteney 21. As for this one, get it before it's all gone.

Ending my reviews for today on this one - a bit lighter and frankly easier to review whisky. Nose - vanilla, sea salt, and nice oak. There's a light note of berry or fruit, likely from some very tired old sherry casks. There's a also a bit of a waxy vanilla, don't think clynelish but more just a muted and earthy vanilla. I almost get a juicy fruit element but not that exact note. Taste - I get vanilla, oak, and a bit of salt (got more on the nose). Having had some springbank, it's really nice to see a showcase of just salt as I was starting to question if it was peated, yes there is a difference in salty and light peat and this one correcting my confusion. I get a light green apple on the finish with some earthy and savory notes. if I were to describe this it would be a lot of discussion on vanilla, clean, and yet salty. I generally don't get a clean malt flavor with salt but that's kinda what makes old pulteney so good. The one thing I am coming back to is that I think the old 12 year 43% is a better whisky, I know crazy.This is more complex, the finish is longer, but man I miss that caramel and vanilla ice cream with cookie dough I got on the 12. It's a real shame this is no longer going to be made as well as the REAL 12 year. I really love what this distillery has been doing, but it's just a shame that we're going to see a decline in quality and an increase in price. Anyway 2.25, a bit higher score than the 12 as the age and finish are better here. I still think if I could find the 12, even if price weren't a factor (and this bottle is 90 dollar more than that 12 I last bought). I'd still likely take the 12. Still whisky quality is more than "do I like it more" and here the 17 is a better made product. I am wondering however if I got an off bottle as I had a sample of this a while back and it blew my mind. I'm about 25% through this bottle and it hasn't come close to what I remember in that sample. So apologies if it turns out this was a dud and I under valued this bottle, that sample would have likely been a 3.25.

Bottled 2015. Time to have two old Old Pulteney’s, 17 and 21, side by side! Some scotch aficionados regard the OP 17 as one of the finest whiskies of its time. For me, this is not nearly that special. It is, or was, very fairly priced, and that is enough to turn a scotch into a darling these days. This is just a solid single malt. If you don’t like this, then you don’t like scotch. This is one example of a whisky where the spirit and cask characters are in perfect balance. I think Arran 14 has taken over as that example, now that this is discontinued. The nose is butterscotch and vanilla, with just the right amount of salt and herbs. The palate is fruity and floral first, but the colors are understated, kept in check by the maltiness. There is no smoke at all. This is a scotch to showcase to newcomers that THIS is what is at the heart of the buzz around scotch; not a Macallan sherry bomb, or a Laphroaig peat stinker. Despite the praise, this is a forgettable scotch. I am SO spoiled for saying that! But I have found so many equals that are cheaper and/or younger that illustrate quintessential scotchiness and that perfect balance between cask and spirit. I already mentioned Arran 14; but there’s also the Mortlach 16 and the Craigellachie 13 as two other examples. This just means OP probably used relatively inactive senile casks for aging this 17 years, and could have had more vibrancy with a younger age and more active casks. The OP 21 is a completely different beast several classes above the 17. Score: 0 (forgettable) How much does a bottle cost: It’s been discontinued since 2017, but there’s still some on shelves in my area for $100-130 How much do I think a bottle is worth: $100

A rarity for me: two consecutive tasting days, though somewhat planned. An opening volley with the Old Pulteney 21 and a closing shot with the Old Pulteney 17. A pale amber-yellow, almost apple juice in color. Fresh diced apples, pears and peaches in a candied syrup is the aromatic introduction. As time grows, sugary notes of butterscotch, honey and vanilla. There are wisps of sawdust and berries, sweetened, ripened plumbs and maritime brine. A sweet and fruity dram this one is. In a lightweight body, like the nose, vanilla, butterscotch honey, Granny Smith apples, pears, lemons and berries. There is some spice of cinnamon and nutmeg with ginger snaps that produces a prickly sensation. The finish is medium-long that is oaky-dry, wood spice with vanilla cream, lemon zest and ground cinnamon with a bit of deep warmth. As usual, a dash of water takes the edge off and sweetens the dram. “Picture yourself in a boat on an” orchard near an ocean. Lol. A pour that is most perfect for summer or early autumn days. The nose sets the stage for the delivery and the finish slowly brings you to a blissful end. Not as deep and rich as the 21 year brethren, but still holds it own. Once again, unfortunately, another fine dram will soon no longer exist as this has been slowly extinguished. As I may have mentioned, OP is a favorite of mine, but that’s mainly with the original range. I only hope the successor are just as good. [90/100][$107][Tasted: 2/29/20]

Unfortunately this along with the 21yo is officially discontinued from the OP core line.  They kept the 12yr old which is always a great value but replaced the 17yo and 21yo with a 15yo and an 18yo which I haven’t been able to try yet.  The 17yo is honestly one of the best relatively affordable whiskies I have ever tasted.  It takes all of the normal honey and sea salt and fruit flavors you expect from OP to another more intense level with craft style presentation.   Smelling this is excellent - Fresh fruit, Honey, Apple, Pineapple, sea salt, floral (“who’s gonna clean up all these damn flowers”?) and citrus The Taste on this is excellent -  Spicy fruit, honey, vanilla, green apple, bitter fruit rhine, pineapple, burnt sugar, sea salt, seaweed, very light smoke.  Just excellent and full of flavor The Finish is mostly long with spice, sour apple, honey, salt, light seaweed.  Anyone get my Coming to America reference above? Since this is discontinued you probably won’t find it cheap.  Normally I was able to pick up for around $100.  Some of the local shops around me still have some inventory and sell it for about $120.  Whatever you can find it for I would suggest picking up a bottle if you have the means.  If you are new to OP you can always find the 12yo at a reasonable price and start there.  If you like the 12 you should get the 17.  The price jump is worth it.   Overall Score – A