Old Pulteney
unveil a new core range line-up
consisting of Old Pulteney 12 Year Old,
Huddart, 15 Year Old and 18 Year Old
sitting at the top of the 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 |