Old Pulteney 15 yo 1974 / 1989 Intertrade 57.6%

Old Pulteney 15 yo 1974 / 1989 Intertrade 57.6%

Certainly a tangy sea air and subtle mineral sharpness fills the nose, matching a crispness to a rising wet earthiness brought on by wet ropes, sea washed sandbags and even a bit of dunnage. Warm fish pies made with a buttery crust sit prettily, but there’s also something acrid and burnt in the midst of that buttery fatness – like a charred edge that’s burnt to a black bitterness accidentally bit into and chucked into the bin. Gentle smoke, warm engines and a can of petrol. The palate seems more reserved though the tongue enjoys a nice oily weight, like that of herb infused vegetable oil. We end up so similar to modern Old Pulteney that you cannot help but agree that this is one distillery that has retained its old school character. That said, this one remains somewhat simple and a little quiet at turns, though that should not be always taken as a bad thing. 88 pts