Old Pulteney 35 Year Old – 42.5% ABV

Info: The limited edition 35 year old was matured in American ex-bourbon and Spanish ex-Sherry casks and selected specially for this release by Old Pulteney distillery manager Malcolm Waring, bottled without chill-filtration.

Colour: Medium to dark amber gold.

Nose: Packed with an evening full of relaxation in front of the fire. It’s slightly waxy, it’s old, leathery. There’s aged slightly ripe citrus fruits, banana and red apples along with brown sugar, honey and gentle woods. Amazingly good, keeps you smelling for ages. After a while milk chocolate tones come out.

Palate: Thick and unctuous, gentle with a pinch of spices balanced with old wood which give weight to the whisky, but doesn’t dominate giving it too many tannins. You could imagine that oak after 35 years would totally dominate, but that’s not the case, it works hand in hand, and the malt is still there at the front.

Finish: Very long… gentle but with a long lasting warmth on your chest. It’s sweet, with no sour tannin notes, just a puff of smoke from the cask and some raisins. It’s one of those finishes that put you at ease for the rest of the evening, amazing.

Water: Doesn’t need any, don’t do it.

Thoughts: A bloody fabulous dram. It tastes expensive, and is expensive… although saying that it’s on the less expensive side of things at this age range of whiskies and as such, if I was in the market for some and had the spare cash, I would pounce on a bottle, it’s truly excellent stuff. Those that follow me probably know I’m a big fan of low strength, cask strength whisky… it’s easy to drink but thick and luscious. 96.

Available: The Green Welly Stop – £485 or Master of Malt – £485.95 (3cl minis also available!)

Thanks to Old Pulteney for the sample.