Whisky Focus - Old Pulteney New Core Range

We knew that it was on the way and now it is finally here, as Old Pulteney this week unveiled their new look core range which is made up of three new single malt whiskies plus one old favourite.

Leading the range, and the only whisky to survive the chop in this overhaul of the Pulteney core range line-up, is the long established every day dramming favourite of whisky drinkers, the Old Pulteney 12 Year Old, it is still the same whisky we are already familiar with, it has simply been repackaged. Still bottled at 40% ABV, and has a RRP of £32.

Next in the new line-up, at least price wise, is the Old Pulteney Huddart, a no age statement single malt which takes its name from the street on which Pulteney distillery is located, which in turn is named after Captain Joseph Huddart, a hydrographer who had provided maps and charts for the British Fisheries Society – the builders of Pulteneytown and its harbour. Old Pulteney Huddart has been matured in second fill American oak, ex bourbon casks then finished in ex-bourbon casks that had previously held heavily peated whisky which should add a little smoky character to the maritime malt. Bottled at 46% ABV, Huddart has a RRP of £45.

The second of three new whiskies in the line-up is the Old Pulteney 15 Year Old which has matured in second fill American oak, ex-bourbon casks, followed by a period of further maturation in first fill Spanish oak, ex Oloroso butts. Described by the distillery as their "most balanced and smoothest single malt whisky yet. Bursting with aromas of rich dried fruit, ripe apples and citrus, with honey sweetness and a generous chord of creamy vanilla". The Old Pulteney 15 Year Old has been bottled at 46% ABV and has a RRP of £70.

Now sitting at the top of the new core range is the Old Pulteney 18 Year Old, it has had a similar maturation journey to the new 15 year old, only 3 years longer, so it should make an interesting comparison. It has been matured in second fill American oak, ex bourbon casks, followed by a period of further maturation in first fill Spanish, ex-Oloroso sherry butts. They tell me that the Old Pulteney 18 Year Old is an "indulgent and deeply warming expression" which  features "notes of chocolate and spice, but allows for the influence of more vibrant, zesty flavours". Naturally coloured and bottled at 46% ABV, it has a RRP of £115.

I haven't had the chance to try any of the new range so I cannot comment on their quality or how they compare to the outstanding and now discontinued 17 and 21 year old whiskies but I have posted the official tasting notes for the new whiskies below for you to consider.

The new line-up Old Pulteney whisky range should start appearing on shelves from this week and you will soon find all the whiskies available from specialist online whisky retailers such as The Whisky Exchange and Master of Malt
 

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