Old Pulteney 12 Year

Read some reviews of great single malts under $50 which mentioned Old Pulteney 12, then read the review on Distiller. Looked it up on VA ABC site, and found that it is no longer to be carried in VA, so it was 1/2 off and only three stores left in the state have it. One of which was a mere 2 miles out of the way on my drive home from work today. So I bought this 750ml bottle for $23.09. Last one in VA for 100 miles. I would be lying if I said I am not hoping for greatness. Here goes . . . Poured neat in a Glencairn at home. Nose is rich, with apple peel, seagrass, caramel. Taste has notes of pepper spice, mild peat, brine, ripe apples, vanilla, tobacco. Lingering spicy bittersweet finish. Interesting and fairly complex. At $45 this would be a bargain, at $23 this was a true steal. 9/11/19.

There is nothing to deslike here. It would be awesome at a higher abv, but even at 40% it is full of flavor.

Bit harsh at first but it mellows. Chocolate comes through with some sweetness. Not bad at all.