ScotchingHard
Old Pulteney 12 Year
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed
April 18, 2018 (edited June 4, 2018)
33 open bottles in my collection ranked through multiple blind tastings. Counting them down!
#29: Old Pulteney. Single malt Scotch. 43% ABV. 12 years.
Paid $40
At $40, I am buying again.
Salt is enough for character. Old Pulteney 12 proves this. This is a fairly simple bourbon matured scotch, routine in most ways, but with a heavy maritime bend. “The maritime malt” is the slogan, which is not nearly as aggressive as Talisker’s “made by the sea”, and the more passive, smoother, and calmer phrase connecting the whisky to the sea is reflected in the liquid as well. I could with a clean conscious give OP 12 to a newcomer to Scotch. I could also drink this on any occasion. It’s well priced, well balanced, and has got a little heft.
MARK: 80/100
PREVIOUSLY, ON BATMAN:
#30: Balvenie DoubleWood. $50. 43%. 12 years. 78/100.
#31: Compass Box Oak Cross. $35. 43%. NAS. 78/100.
#32: Johnnie Walker Black Lable. $36. 40%. 12 years. 71/100.
#33: Larceny Kentucky Straight Bourbon. $21. 46%. NAS. 41/100.
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@cascode @Scott_E. Agree. 21 is the pinnacle although I’ve never tried anything above the 21 like @LeeEvolved with the 35. Maybe that one was over oaked? What makes 12 special is the price.
One of my favourite distilleries, but it’s not of universal appeal. The 12 is one of my “daily drams” and the 21 really did live up to the hype.
Great Review. Had the OP21 at Whiskey Fest NY. Was my favorite of the evening.
Yeah I had the 17 which was ok and got a bottle of the 21 but not itching to open it. Nothing from OP has blown me away
Great review. I just sampled the Old Pulteney 35 at Whiskyfest DC and found it to be somewhat of a let down, too. It’s a shame, because I bought a bottle of the 35 about 6 months ago. Maybe OP just doesn’t work for us. I found the 25 to be solid, but nothing spectacular. Cheers.