Old Pulteney 12 Year

Sweet, floral, smooth

This is the "old" Old Pulteney 12. The one that came in the tube, as opposed to the new release which comes in a box. Pulteney has claimed the juice has remained the same, but there is plenty of information on the internet that supports the contrary. For one, the color is different. And, apparently, so is the taste. Not to mention, my bottle is at 43% ABV as opposed to the listed 40%. At any rate, I've got no basis for comparison. But I have had a bottle of this previously, and I enjoyed it. Let's see if it holds up a couple years later. Nose: Apple, pear, apricot, orange, banana, and white grape. Honey, vanilla, toffee, and marshmallow. Definitely a sweet one. Less salt than I remember. There is some salted caramel. Some floral notes and oak notes. Not a hint of alcohol. It's easy-going but enjoyable. Palate: The fruit notes transfer to the palate: apple, pear, apricot, orange, banana, and white grape. Now with lemon. Big malt notes, as well as vanilla and toffee. Some chestnut and almond. Salted caramel and sea salt... there's the salt. Butterscotch and honey. Shortbread cookie. Green, grassy notes. It's very similar to the nose, with a couple added notes. The major addition is salt. It's a nice one. Finish: Baking spices. Sea salt, cinnamon, black pepper, clove, and nutmeg. Big oak. Some of that shortbread cookie and vanilla. Citrus is prevalent. Nuts as well. Above average in length, which is impressive for a whisky at 43%. This is an easy sipper, but not a boring. Its coastal qualities distinguish it from the standard Highland profile. It's a nice change of pace to find pronounced maritime qualities in a non-peated malt. This whisky finds a great niche in the vast landscape of Scottish whisky. If you can still find this expression in its old-style incarnate, grab it. It's one of the cheaper single malts; yet, it's one of the better flagship bottlings out there. Unfortunately, it seems OP has decided to tamper with the secret formula. The Distiller score plummeted from a 95 to an 84. And the internet's whisky experts almost unanimously agree. Don't fix it if it ain't broke. Is that a cliche or a fundamental truth? I lean toward the latter. I haven't tried the new 12-year, so I won't condemn it. But I will say this. This has everything you could ever ask of a sub-$50 bottle. Money truly well-spent. Pulteney: as a wise man once told me: "Don't blow it." Solid stuff.