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Old Pulteney Stroma Malt Whisky Liqueur
Herbal/Spice Liqueurs — Scotland
Reviewed
October 17, 2020 (edited June 26, 2023)
Appearance: Transparent pale amber. No particulate matter.
Aroma: Cod liver oil, naphthalene, sea spray, sweaty socks, eucalyptus oil, treacle, struck matches, honey.
Flavour and Texture: Honey, syrup, a blend of very slightly bitter and vegetal herbal tisane, and very, very young whisky. The texture is thick and syrupy and it finishes with a hint of herbal bitterness that offsets the sugary-sweet notes.
The nose here is most unusual and unlike any other whisky liqueur I've tasted, with one exception. Although it does not have the sweet blackberry component, the foundation spirit here is very like the fresh-off-the-still new make spirit used in Kilchoman Bramble Liqueur. Old Pulteney say that this contains "older and younger whisky". Hmm, I bet it leans heavily towards the younger end of the spectrum.
The problem with most whisky liqueurs is that you can barely taste the whisky at all because the usual honey and spice notes are so thickly plastered on. This, in contrast, has a definite emphasis on the whisky (well, lets say "spirit"). It's interesting, and to palates that don't normally like sweet liqueurs it might be very pleasant. However for me it's too quirky to be really enjoyable and so in the end it's more a curiosity than a desirable and satisfying liqueur. I would not recommend it.
"Adequate" : 74/100 (2.25 stars)
55.0
USD
per
Bottle
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@CKarmios I thought the taxes were bad here in Washington, where they're the highest in the nation. Well, they still seem high to me, but @cascode told me about Australia's liquor taxes and *whistles*
@CKarmios Don't get me started on Australian excise tax ... excessively high on every spirt or spirit-based drink, either imported or locally made.
That price though. High tax on whisky liqueurs?
Every time I read a bottle that says something like "contains whiskey from 3 to 30 years old" I roll my eyes. With a few exceptions, my experience has been that it pretty much tastes like the youngest spirit mentioned.
What and odd and potentially undesirable nose. Not sure I would sip after having nosed.