Old Pulteney 19 Year Old Highland Malt First Cask

Colour: Pale amber.

Nose: Exceptional start on many soft spices, quinces and figs plus these whiffs of sea air that are so typical of Pulteney, even when the casks never saw any seashore. Truly superior nose, eminently complex. At random, we have also cigar box, orange blossom honey, , earl grey tea, caramel fudge and hints of leather polish. Very, very complex. Wow.

Mouth: Notes of orange liqueur and green tea mingle very well. Also quite some liquorice, marzipan and cough syrup but the whole remains very elegant.

Finish: Medium long, with a little more tannins (cinnamon) and quite some oranges in the aftertaste. Peppered blood oranges?

Comments: a superlative nose and a very nice palate. A great postprandial Pulteney to sip until the wee hours of the morning, if you’re so inclined. Recommended!