Old Pulteney Flotilla

Aroma: Honeysuckle, beeswax, orange juice, jonquils, apricot juice, sea brine, and subtle vanilla notes from quality ex-bourbon casks. Over time, a pleasant sunflower oil aroma emerges. Palate: The initial taste is sweet yet briny and dry, featuring pears, sultanas, and crisp barley. The flavors become sweeter as it develops, with oranges (both sweet and Seville) and grapefruit emerging, followed by vanilla. It then turns drier as the briny, coastal character becomes more prominent, with a hint of ale and white pepper. The texture is crisp rather than creamy or oily, but it's not watery. Finish: Medium length, with pears, barley sugar, and brine leading to a dry, salty aftertaste with a slight hint of chili. Old Pulteney Flotilla has been released annually since 2012. This tasting is from a bottle with code L20/11/2020 R20/5458, indicating it's from the 2010/2020 batch. It can still be found, but the 2012/2022 batch received high critical acclaim, so that's the one I'd suggest if you're looking to purchase. Regardless, all Flotilla releases share a similar profile. This is an enjoyable 10-year-old Old Pulteney, matured entirely in bourbon casks. In my opinion, it surpasses the current 12-year core range bottling and, in many ways, resembles their older 12-year expression from before recipe and packaging changes were made years ago, so I've given it the same rating. The profile is fresh, crisp, and coastal, with barley grist and sea breezes consistently present. The gentle notes of sweet honey and citrus perfectly balance the dryness. “Good”: 83/100 (3.5 stars)