Old Pulteney 25 Year

The aroma is subtle and gentle, beginning with vanilla blossoms, a hint of sulfur, mild sea salt, and sherry notes of dark chocolate-covered raisins with toasted nuts. This is followed by canned peaches, dried apricots, and lychee, then moderate barrel spices and light oak with a slight ethanol sting. The palate has a medium body, starting with fruit-forward notes of peaches, apricots, and lemon zest, then light floral touches. This transitions to cayenne-spiced dark chocolate, fresh figs, and toasted almonds, fading into ocean brine, barrel spices, and lightly drying, ashy oak with a medium ethanol burn. The finish is medium in length, featuring dark chocolate-covered raisins, toasted almonds, light florals, sea salt, peach ring candy, mandarin oranges, black pepper, and lightly drying, ashy oak. This is a pleasing drink with a nice balance of aromas. The palate begins fruity before shifting to a medium spice with earthy, nutty, and dark fruit elements, finally fading to brine and ashy oak. The medium finish offers a balanced mix of flavors, though with slightly drying, ashy oak spices. These seem to cost over $500, but they are drier and ashier than I prefer. For that price, I would expect something absolutely perfect for my liking.

Nose: Floral stone fruit (peaches, apricots) and sweet citrus. Honeyed, grassy, and slightly spirited. Fragrant woody undertones are present. Palate: Dry, salty honey with oak notes upon entry. It evolves into a fruit-forward experience with abundant sweet tastes – barley sugar and candy, cherries, rosewater, and rosehip tea. Subtle spice notes can be detected in the background. The palate is less full-bodied than the 15-year-old but not as rich as the 18-year-old. Adding water enhances the body and mouthfeel. Finish: Medium to short. Fades into a semi-sweet, salty marmalade with a touch of oak. It resembles the 15-year-old but with increased intensity, though lighter than the 18-year-old and noticeably spirited in comparison. I have little more to add as it left me entirely unengaged. There are no unpleasant characteristics, no off-notes, and it's clearly well-made and aged, but it's the most uninspiring 25-year-old I've sampled in quite some time, and I would never pay the $650 asking price for it. “Good”: 84/100 (3.75 stars)

Nose: Full ripe apples, a touch of salt, caramel, milk chocolate, and charred orange peel. Taste: Mildly spiced caramel apples, a hint of salt, candied orange peel, a small amount of tropical fruits, and milk chocolate. Finish: Lingering mild spice, lightly salted/brined sweet apples, and orange peel. Score: 90/100 Overall: Similar to earlier Old Pulteney expressions I've sampled, this one is rather enjoyable and offers considerable flavor for 46% ABV. Ripe apples and salted caramel seem to be the main profiles here. It's well-constructed, but the finish is its weakest aspect; the rich apple and pleasant salted caramel notes from the palate transition into a salt-brined fresh apple slices with a touch of orange peel, making your palate question what just occurred and where the rich, ripe apples disappeared to. It's certainly pleasant, but I'm uncertain if the price premium is justified. Would I consume it if offered? - Yes Would I specifically order it? - Perhaps Would I purchase a bottle? - Likely not another NOTE - All reviews are conducted without considering price.

I won't have my usual detailed notes for this "Quick Hit" review because the sample was poured at Whiskyfest DC on 4/17/18. These reviews will not have scores, and I intend to revisit them later for a more thorough assessment. We returned to the Old Pulteney booth after the VIP hour to try this 25-year-old and the NAS Navigator. This 25-year-old shared similar maritime notes with a richer, fuller sherry influence. It still had some rough edges compared to Macallan or Balvenie, but overall, it was a very pleasant, salty-sweet dram. I plan to consider purchasing a bottle of this one. I'd rate it 4.5 stars without hesitation. Cheers.

Nose: apricot, sandalwood, sea salt, orange marmalade, light oak, ginger spices Palate: Honey, toasted almonds, toasted oak, toffee, ginger, creamy vanilla Finish: medium, creamy finish with notes of vanilla and ginger spice This one has a very complex nose, not overpowering but with many distinct dimensions and tastes. The palate is good, though not particularly memorable. The finish is medium with pleasant flavors, but easily forgotten. For a 25-year-old whisky, I'm honestly a bit let down.

Complex and deep, yet surprisingly has a bit of a burn, more so than the 21-year-old expression. This one just isn't worth it for me; good thing I only got a sample. 93