Old Pulteney 1998 19 YO Connoisseurs Choice - Cask Strength
Old Pulteney 1998 19 YO Connoisseurs Choice - Cask Strength, 57.5 %
This is a single cask release from Gordon & MacPhail. It was distilled on 1998-08-26, matured in a 1st fill bourbon barrel (cask #1071) and then bottled 2018-06-21. The total outturn was 192 bottles.
Unfortunately I believe this product is sold out, but you can always find a lot of bottles produced at Pulteney Distillery and/or released by independent bottler Gordon & MacPhail.
Nose: Straight off it is quite sharp and pungent. After a bit it calms down, but it is strangely weird. Quite oaky, but an unusual stale oakiness. A hint of sulphur of the rotten egg kind. Martime notes and some fruitiness - but not the freshest fruit. Over ripe banana springs to mind.
Taste: Very rich and full bodied. A torrent of spices overwhelm at first, then I am hit with a wave of that same stale oakiness. Pepper, some chocolate, banana and vanilla. Nuts and malt.
Finish: Medium long finish. Stale and watery. Slight bitter side note. Salt, pepper and ginger.
Comment: Not my cup of tea, to say the least. And I really love Old Pulteney. Something wrong with this particular bottle?
Score 78/100
Sláinte!
-Thomas
Thanks Stephen! Sorry I did not manage to appreciate it more :-)
