Old Pulteney Single Malt Whisky Vintage 1990, 0,7L 46%

Old Pulteney Single Malt Whisky Vintage 1990 0.7L 46%

History and production of the Old Pulteney 1990 Vintage:

The Old Pulteney Distillery was founded in 1826 by James Henderson in the fishing village of Wick, in the north-east of Scotland. This happened at a time when Wick was experiencing a real boom thanks to the newly built fishing port. Thousands of workers moved to the far north to participate in the promising herring catch. The distillery therefore had no shortage of customers and the company was accordingly successful. But, as so often in history, this was to change permanently. When the initial herring boom gradually ebbed away and the city administration enforced alcohol abstinence, the once so popular Old Pulteney distillery was finally forced to close in 1931.

But the stills did not have to wait long for their revival. Old Pulteney reopened its doors in 1951 and has been more successful than ever since. One of the highlights in the distillery's history was certainly the World Whisky Awards in March 2016. The Old Pulteney 1989 Vintage, a vintage bottling that was also stored in barrels that previously contained smoky whisky, was awarded the "Best Single Malt Whisky of the Year 2016" award. The sensation was perfect and all bottlings sold out overnight.

To the delight of all whisky fans, the successor has now been released: the Old Pulteney 1990 Vintage. Here, too, only exclusive barrels that previously contained strongly smoky single malt whisky were selected for maturation. This adds a delicate smokiness to the typical fruity, maritime distillery character. Bottled at 46%, the Old Pulteney 1990 Vintage is extremely strong. Just like its predecessor, this is a strictly limited special edition that will certainly sell out just as quickly. So it's doubly worth snapping up.

Tasting the Old Pulteney 1990 Vintage:

When nosing, the Old Pulteney 1990 Vintage immediately celebrates its otherness. Untypically for the distillery in the north, a delicate smoky note is noticeable right from the start. This is accompanied by wonderfully fruity notes of mangos, pineapples, bananas, but also green apples, lemons and pears. In short, the Old Pulteney 1990 Vintage reflects the full variety of a fruit salad. In the background, sweet, slightly floral aromas emerge. Honey, vanilla, but also butter biscuits, pecans and orange blossoms round off the Old Pulteney 1990 Vintage wonderfully. By adding a little water, the bouquet becomes calmer and gentler. A pleasant maltiness and hints of marzipan emerge, the fruitiness seems reduced.

In terms of taste, the Old Pulteney 1990 Vintage initially impresses with its strong, full-bodied start, which seems extraordinarily fresh and elegant. There is a wonderful interplay of sweet and sour notes, which is further enhanced by the subtle smokiness. There are bananas, pineapple, gooseberries, candied ginger, as well as spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg and cardamom. Maritime notes are present in the background, which are expressed in a slight saltiness.

The finish of the Old Pulteney 1990 Vintage is long and stands out clearly from the initial aromas. Oak wood, peat smoke, a hint of tobacco and seaweed completely transform the fruity-sweet aroma and taste profile. Phenomenally complex and expressive!

It is precisely the harmonious combination of fruity-maritime distillery character and the exceptional barrel storage that ensures this high level of complexity and balance. The peaty smokiness makes the Old Pulteney 1990 Vintage even more complex and therefore refreshingly different. For fans of the distillery, the Old Pulteney 1990 Vintage is an absolute must.