whisky review 533 - Old Pulteney 12yo single malt re-reviewed for 2015
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 23 เม.ย. 2015
- . . . still as good as it's always been, just more presence of 'modern oak'.
This video represents a personal opinion and perspective only.
To comply with Google Adsense policy this video is an independent non-profit review and is not selling or linking to a site that sells the product being reviewed.
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Sharp intake of breath at 23:17
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I’m still a novice on my whisky exploration but having now purchased and tried numerous different single malts & blends, I’ve gotta say Old Pulteney (the 12, 17 & 21) is hands down my favorite whisky.
I’ve got to thank you sincerely for helping introduce me to this fine quality whisky. I actually heard about it from another TH-camr (Peter Finch, a UK based golf TH-cam channel) but your reviews of Old Pulteney gave me the confidence to go out and buy a few bottles. And I’m obviously thrilled I took the plunge.
Even if Old Pulteney gets replaced later by a different whisky as my tastes evolve, it’ll always be my first “single malt love.” So thank you again for being such an invaluable resource & for helping introduce me to Old Pulteney!
I love listening to the review as I drink the malt for the first time. It is illuminating and brings even more pleasure to experience.
Agreed
REALLY appreciate the new long format. I wanted to let you know that I am really liking the new longer more detailed video style. Just short of a half and hour of fantastic scotchery, just the thing I need once or so a week. Great work Ralfy.
PrivTrd I second this opinion, very high quality videos ralfy
Old Pulteney 12yr is a fantastic whisky. However, I got hold of a Gordon and Macphail bottling of the 12yr, natural colour and non-chillfiltered, quite an improvement.. A much more complex, balanced and prolonged experience to be sure.. It makes the standard bottling pale by comparison.
I'm drinking this for the first time right now, and I'm blown away by how much the taste has changed over just a few minutes. It's like a journey, what a great whiskey.
02:06 "I hate floaters in the water". I guess Ralfie is a sinkers kind of guy. Greatly incorporated in such casual manner. Legend
I agree. 90 out of 100. Complex. Bright and refreshing, and it has a distinctive character... it doesn't taste like other malts.
sbornot2b I like old pulteney
excellent whisky review. very interesting examples of different wood types for barrel construction. Old Pulteney 12 single malt scotch whisky is lovely, and at $ 29.99 in Ohio, can't go wrong. Ralfy, your whisky reviews are very informative. folks should watch your reviews before they purchase any whisky.
This re-review brought up two interesting points,
1) The finish of Old Pulteney 12 - In checking my notes I found the dram’s finish to be, “slightly salty with a bit of grain (bread) and fresh fruit: overall a short” its interesting that you note it’s unique character, I will keep an eye out on my next dram. Of note, I do live in a hot climate and I tend to sample my whisky over 20 minutes.
2) The homogenization of single malts- I can’t agree enough with your statement about the “engineering” of malts. I find that several whisky’s tend toward “clean” new spirit. I love more delicate single malts like Glenmorangie (and even a blend like Chivas), but I don’t want every whisky to be such a light drinkable spirit. I enjoy the robust flavors (especially considering the price of malts) that come with malts like Springbank or Benromach. I want them to stay that way.
Once again thanks for the common sense education. Shout-out from you fans from the USA (where malt maniacs can be few and far between).
I love that you can taste the sea air with this beauty, cheers for the re-review
Thanks Ralfy,
I have avoided Old Pultney not on purpose but on that Orange colour. Now with such a positive review I will give them a go.
But: producers!! If you are reading and I think you do please please please stop the colouring and filtering it costs you sales.
I have a bottle of Old Pultney -Navigator. NAS. I bought about a year ago. Here in Florida. It's labeled on the box and bottle, non- chill filtered and natural color. It tastes and looks wonderful. 46% abv. 750 ml.
Great review of a very nice whisky indeed. Love this one and the 17 Year Old as well. Thanks Ralfy, it's always a pleasure to watch one of your reviews and you clearly know what you are talking about.
92/100 for me.
Of the widely available, big-name 12 year-old single malts I've tried I think this is my favourite.
thanks for the surprise malt vlog Ralfy ol boy! And a great one at that! Still very interesting after 6 years!
The smell and taste I remember most from Pulteney is sea salt. It has been two or three years since I have tasted it, though.
Thank you Ralfy for these reviews. They are spot on! I am enjoying a glass of this 12 year old pulteney at the same time!
This is a really nice review Ralfy, it would be interesting to get a review in 2021, especially in light of the fact Old Pulteney 12 routinely goes for £24 on Amazon.
Just bought one of the £24 bottles myself (August 2021)…..Ralfy is right when he says it is consistent. Tastes just as it did in 2015 (this video) in my humble opinion.
Learning more and more with every review! Thanks again teacher. Cheers!
Well said Ralfy. Living on the island of Ireland, as an "Irish man" who's trying to educate himself in the ways of whisky, I find it frustrating when talking to friends and indeed, family, about whiskey and it's complexity (without boring them) that most either just like Irish whiskey, because they've tried a scotch at some point and didn't like the peatiness of it, or that whiskey just isn't smooth. As you put it....a lazy pallette. I'm no expert, indeed I'm far from it, and don't imagine for a second that I ever will be but....I am open minded (where whisky is concerned) and trial and error is a great thing. If you don't like a thing, fair enough, but maybe (just maybe) trying it once, twice, three timea isn't enough!!!
Sorry I'm rantin' a bit now. Ordered myself a bottle of the Old Pulteney 12 and a bottle of 4 Roses small batch on your recommendation. I look forward to their arrival.
Thanks Ralfy. Love the channel.
Just found your blogs on youtube. Love it! Love it!! Love it!!! My husband and I are whisky lovers, and I am from Scotland, so when we were hame last year in Thurso, I found this whisky in Tesco, and it was a great price and it became a favorite! At this price point it was pretty good. I am not a great connoisseur of whiskey, I just know what I like. I am a huge fan of Highland Park 18 yr, but this single malt Pulteney that is young is awesome! It is very hard to find this one in Canada where I live now, in fact we have not been able to find it, though I am told it is at times available here. We brought some back with us, and a few really expensive good one, but a couple of bottles of this made it back to Canada...and it is nearly gone now! I love your tip on letting sit with a wee bit of water, I shall be sure to try that! Cheers!
scottishpet . . . happy to help with the malt-moments !
Ralfy, I just tried old Pulteney 12 year. I saw your review just recently and quixotically only days later ran into bottle of it in a market in Northern California. I bought it and opened it anticipating a fine scotch. I was not disappointed. Smooth like an Oban. And, 2/3 the price. Thanks for pointing me to it. A great 'afternoon' malt. I learn to a malt like Laphroiag or Talisker after dinner (or even a Nika), but this is great scotch. Thanks for helping me discover it!
Just had my first old pulteney and loved it!
Hello, Ralfy. Most Northern distilleries are Scapa and Highland Park. Old Pulteney is the most northern on Scottish mainland. I know, that you know it, just a friend's remark :-)
Thank you Ralfy. I've watched so very many of your video reviews and I have learned so much. You've opened my eyes in so many regards and not just involving whiskeys. Your way of speaking and mannerisms I find very comforting and in some ways familiar. Even though we are many miles apart, I see a lot of my father when I watch you. He too a fan of alcohol but by different vehicle than whiskey.
My life is better for having found you and I look forward to watching all of your videos new and old. You are a youtube treasure for sure! I know this Vlog and blog are a labor of love but I want you to know that I and many others like me appreciate all you efforts more than you may know.
Cheers!
Davo
davo chandler Seconded. Well said.
Just bought a bottle of old pulteney 12 after i saw your original review, great quality and taste for a great price
I enjoy the way you educate the public on scotch, keep the producers in line (brilliantly trying noted), and use your knowledge for the consumer to truly enjoy the end product. Your description is a dying art. 2019 version STILL sucks in comparison to OP 12 2015. Next review in 3 yrs "the return of Old Pulteney." Nice effort, keep fighting!!!
The nose on this is so amazing. Love the brine notes. Nothing else [nose wise for me] has such a nice brine note.
This is my favorite. I've tried just a handful so far, but this spirit seems to be easy to enjoy. I'm so grateful you take the time to educate noobs like me in the subtle nuances of fine whiskeys. Thanks Rafly.
I liked your expose on wood quality, having built furniture for the last 40 years,I have noticed "old growth" becoming increasingly scarce. If you look at your ash sample, you'll see the first third of rings from the center out to be wider than the outside. since the trees being planted now replacing trees being cut(100-300 years old) you can see how long it would take to harvest a quality product.
just bought a few of these for my whisky club thanks to this review.
Thanks for the information regarding - location of the oak trees and other wood types adding favor during whisky maturation process - adding Old Pulteney 12yo to my need to try and buy list
Ralfy, just broke seal on my first bottle Old Pulteney 12 must say I am glad to have your reviews to point the way to some mighty fine whisky's. I understand why you enjoy some of these single malts Thankyou
it is absolutely true about the whole Eastern Highland -Coastline Malts. i would say Old Pulteney 12 would be a great way to start even before you try the standard Clynelish 14. i think nothing prepares you better if you want to go down the characterful and rewarding road of Glen Garioch, Ardmore etc.
if i would start again my personal procedure would be:
1.Old Pulteney 12
2.Ardmore Traditional
3.Clynelish 14
4.Glen Garioch 12
And then i would move on to the independent bottlings.
for me, OP 12 has some of the qualities of our beloved Laddie Ten. very complex for a beginner Malt. all they need to do now is to up the ABV to 43% or 46%. no chill filtration, no caramel and there you go. the next entry level star.
Love this guy! Great review!!
Just picked this up for £24 from Morrison's and well worth the money. it's not my normal style of dram but unique in it's own way. I certainly agree that it has a very strong young wood note initially that gives way with time in the glass. I personally found that part of what replaced this was a somewhat abrupt, nondescript bitterness that dulled down some of the other flavours of the finish. This gave way after a bit more time but for me, this whisky didn't become as good as I was hoping until about 45 mins in the glass. It is bloody cold in my house at the moment though as my boiler's knackered! A really good, accessible yet noteworthy "educator" for those starting out on single malts. Keep it up Ralfy and love the new longer reviews.
Finally got around to buying Old Pulteney. I'm usually a Bourbon guy (and some Auchentoshan from time to time), but I thought I would like it after listening to your great review. Stunning on the nose and very pleasant overall. Bought it instead of my usual JD/Four Roses and this is a keeper. Will buy again!
I have a sniffly cold so any subtlety is lost on me today... I'm sipping on some Four Roses Single Barrel at 50% alc/vol to help clear out my sinuses and it seems to be working. My last bottle of Old Pulteney was also very satisfying. I'll go back tho the more delicate stuff when I'm feeling better and less stuffed up.
This is definitely whisky with it's own character... you'll recognize it in a crowd. Thank you for recommendation, I'm loving it.
This is so much like islay whisky minus peat. It is so round, fatty like white chocolate, dryness on finish. It is astounding how malt and wood is balanced. Fresh fish smell. cheese brine, and yeah lemon grass and vanilla sweetness.
Ralfy, sounds like Old Pulteney was listening. Their new lineup (which I've yet to see) seems to have a bump in abv, although no word about NCF and e150a. Alas, the 12 is not getting upgraded. So they were only half-listening 😁
Love pulteney. Best $35 bottle ever. The complexity is great. If I had to guess, I'd think it were a much more expensive malt. Thanks Ralfy!!
Ralfy, I have been drinking this for some time and last night had it again to compare directly to the new bottlings, navigator and clipper. I have to say, that both the navigator and clipper seem a little more complex with a better finish. But the 12 always delivers very well and is a great bottle for sure. However, I also had a chance to compare it with a new bottle of HP12, which of course means the HP has to be had after because of the peat. In any case, if you put this bottle and a bottle of HP12 in front of me, I would pick the HP12 every time. IT is so much more complex and wonderful. It delivers in all categories much better than the OP12.
on it now. daughter bought it for me for Christmas . cheers I'm listening!
Keep up the good work Ralfy, it's a tough job but someones gotta do it and it sure looks like you enjoy your work, great entertainment as always cheers
I did indeed follow your example Sir, and just bought a bottle of this golden liquid today. (I've yet to try it, but am looking forward to it)
I recently got the 12 and 17 year olds Old Pulteney. I found them both to be delicious, but both had cork issues. The corks in both bottles were almost liquefied and I had to clean the inside of the necks of the bottles and filter out cork chunks. Thankfully I had extra stoppers on hand... and when I contacted Old Pulteney they said they would send me a replacement bottle for the 12 year old. Pretty cool. At any rate... all this was prompted by the fact you found cork in your water lol.
Great review Ralfy. Many thanks for your efforts.
I watched the video while sipping my first glass of Old Pulteney 12. It is as good as you say. ( I am a newcomer to single malt, was lost in the jungle of the blends...lol).
Enjoying this very dram as I'm watching Ralfy's re-review. Almost finished the bottle and will one day definitely buy again once I go through the rest of the standard repertoire (since I'm pretty new to whisky tasting).
Haven't had the opportunity to try this just yet. It's $80 Canadian. Hard to come by in Toronto, but available at the moment. You've sold me. When I grow up I want to be like Ralfy.
I now keep this on my shelf at all times. It's definitely in my top 5. And I can get it for 32 bucks in Ohio.
Hi Ralfy, my best friend is celebrating his 40 years birthday, and we want to buy a Cognac and a whisky, The Cognac xo is already buyed. But we wonder if the Old Pulteney 12 is good for that kind of party. As this is a norwegian 40y party Im afraid its going to be consumed alot of drinks and beers. But even if this one kind of celebration is about quantity we do still care of the quality. 12 years Old Pulteney is abit of a bargain here in Sweden/Norway.
I love this ralfy. It's one of my favorites now.
Great work, as usual. I understand that Buffalo Trace here in the States is currently engaged in a long term program to look at the specific effects of barrels made from different parts of the oak tree.
OP 12 is 43% for us lucky Americans. Haven't ever tried it, but will very soon!
I've recently bought some Old Pulteney 12 year old, looking forward to it.
I don't drink a lot of single malts but this is one that I really enjoy. The price point also makes this a convenient luxury.
Loved the video and love Old Pulteney. Yes it does seem as if many people, even experienced whisky drinkers pass poor Old Pulteney by, considering it a budget cheap malt but, as you say, it isn't true! You often see it on special offer at the airport as well as in shops and it does damage its reputation as a quality malt. Old Pulteney is one of the hidden gems and bargains of the whisky world, showing complexity and simple drinking experience enjoyment well beyond its price.
It is not the most northerly distillery anymore. They used to state on their bottles that Pulteney was the most northerly mainland distillery but this has been removed because there is now a new distillery which has taken that honour, namely Wolfburn. Being on the northern coast you can't get more northerly than that!
Yes, confirmed. According to my research, The 12 Year Old, Travel Exclusive “Noss Head”, 23 Year Old and 30 Year Old are all matured in ex-Bourbon casks. The Navigator and 17 Year Old are ex-sherry.
I know that you don’t review NAS whiskies and as you know, I more or less go along with your campaign but I feel that I must mention their “Noss Head”. It is bottled at 46%, a beautiful pale yellow colour and indeed, at the back of the bottle, totally out of the way it states “NON CHILLED FILTERED, NATURAL COLOUR” and it really does make a difference when compared to the more commercial 12 Year Old.
The Noss Head has a fresher, more natural cleaner and more focused aroma and taste. It seems more alive. The 12 Year Old is dull in comparison. The marine air is all there and perhaps more emphasised in the Noss Head, but there is also a wonderful fresh juicy glazed coconut aroma and taste to it, obviously coming from quality casks. The finish is just wonderful. Going back to the 12 Year Old, they share much of the same character yet you get the impression that this is a more restricted taste and is not giving you everything it is capable of. The Noss Head is definitely fresher, possibly due to younger friskier whiskies employed, (hence the NAS categorisation) but maintaining the complexity which can only come from older whiskies in the blend. In my opinion, the Noss Head shows off the character of what we like about Old Pulteney style far more than the 12 Year Old. It is however, as well as being a NAS, much more expensive!
Thank god I can get a straight tasting without a bunch of twats hollering about everything but this single malt. I don't mean to be negative, but you're my reviewer.
At 46% and un-chillfiltered the Old Pulteney 12yo would be a dream.
Luckily I possess such a version :-)
The magic of movies...10 minutes with the lid on the glass is the blink (a wink?) of an eye with Ralfy and lo! the spirit has transformed! Another wonderful review Ralfy, thank you. Two more things; I'm having a sip of Kettle One vodka from the freezer while enjoying your review. Sacrilegious or no? And, how about a malt mention, "movie magic makers"?
Cheers
Well, what a pleasant surprise this Whisky is! I say that because I just bought 4 x bottles of Laphroaig 10 Year from Asda @ a greatly reduced £25.00 a bottle but they only delivered 3 bottles and sent this Pulteney 12 as a substitute. I say 'pleasant surprise' because I am a big fan of peat & smoke so this is not normally a single malt I would go for. Its delicious :D
. . . unexpected surprises can sometimes be an unexpected jewel !
ralfystuff totally agree. I would usually go for peaty whisky but this works brilliantly as a refreshing alternative.
Hello Ralfy,
Just discovered you about three weeks ago and it's been a beautiful journey thus far. I started off buying my first bottle of Scotch three weeks ago. It was inexpensive (McClelland's Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky) and not bad at all. I noticed the reviews on it were mainly tough, even snobbishly so, but as I was drinking it I enjoyed it and grew to care for it. Then I ran out of it and decided to buy something more substantial.
Enter Laphroaig 10!
Holy Shit!
The writing on the Laphroaig label is quite accurate..."aloof at first, but make the effort, broach acquaintance, and you'll have a warm and genuine friend for life."
I had thought I had made a mistake a first (I overpaid also). It was a kick in the teeth and a slap in the face followed by an unfriendly kick in the arse that left me reeling into the street, confused and befuddled. Did I like this stuff? I just didn't know but I had to take another dram, then another, then another. By the end of the day I was literally in love with the stuff! It's so packed with flavor and aroma and complexity, not to mention it feels and tastes unique to me.
I was loving it so much I noticed I had drank almost half the bottle in three days! Whoa! Slow down, slow down. I had remembered some of your other videos and was looking for more of an every day dram. I can't afford $50.00 bottles of Scotch every week. I remembered Monkey Shoulder. So I called up my local Spirit store and they told me they had one bottle of Monkey Shoulder left. I asked them to hold it for me ($27.00) since the price was a full ten dollars cheaper then everyone else was selling it for.
When I arrived at the store I asked the gentleman helping me to direct me to their selection of Scotch Whisky. I figured I might look at some single malts before committing on the Monkey Shoulder. I was pleasantly surprised at what I saw. Pretty much all of the old standbys where there and the prices were fair. I decided to let the Monkey go and bought a bottle of Old Pulteney 12 ($40.00 after taxes, not too bad for the United States).
The nose (Old Pulteney 12) is one of musk and vanilla. It reminded me of Old Spice aftershave, in a pleasing way. The taste is just wow! Very creamy, oakey, sweet, a little citrus, a bit spicy, and a beautiful rounded finish that goes down nicely. It leaves the mouth feeling clean and fresh. The only criticism I have is the aftertaste doesn't linger long. Once you drink it down the flavor is gone within a minute or two.
You've given me some great advice on Scotch Whisky so far Ralfy, thank you. I know that most people would have never recommended a novice Scotch drinker to try Laphroaig 10 but I'm glad it happened. Now I have to chose my next bottle and I'm not sure which way to go. I'm thinking the Dalmore or maybe Highland Park 12? Maybe even the Tomatin 12 since I haven't tried anything that has been finished in Sherry casks yet?
If you or anyone else has a recommendation I'm all ears. I can't believe I've fallen in love with Scotch so quickly!
+Greyswyndir
Hi Greyswyndir,
I also recently started tasting scotch. I thought I didn't like it until a tasted a nip of Lagavulin 16 at the restaurant I work for. Absolutely loved the flavour.
I bought Highland Park 12 and a smaller bottle of Talisker 10. I enjoyed them both but at first it was a struggle just like you had. after most of it was gone my HP 12 started to taste a bit like cardboard. Maybe should not have stored in in the box after opening? I prefered the Highland Park, worth a try.
After that I bought a tasting box of 25ml samples including: Clynelish 14, Laphroaig QC, Glenfarclas 12, Bowmore 12, Glenlivet 12 and Benromach 10. Haven't tasted them all yet. It was a bit expensive for 6 drams but nice to try, good price if compared to prices in a bar.
I also bought Monkey Shoulder which is a bit simple in my opninion, not as complex as the other whiskies I've had. At least I can't taste much complexity in it. I think you were better off buying the Old Pulteney :)
I really liked the Benromach 10, very pleasant nutty, fruity flavour with some water and I like the peatyness.
I haven't opened the bottle yet.
I think I like it better than the Highland Park 12.
I have also bought a bottle of Makers mark since it seems like good and a simple start from what I've read and is about €22 where I live. Very interesting and different flavour compared to the scotch I have experienced.
I know it’s been a while since u commented and I’m sure your well into your whiskey experience but I also started getting into whiskey the past year and overall I have 3 top winners the oban 14 is nice and has complexity that will leave you wanting, the there’s the dalwinne 15- incredibly smooth and tasty without any peat but still being unique, and then my surprising number 1 fav has to be the Balvenie 14 rum cask, as far as scotch goes it was a bit (idk if this is accurate) oily, not in a bad way, but the flavor!! Wow just bursting with that yummy honey spiced notes but what really won me was this incredible sweetness without the feeling like sugar really spectacular
My new favourite whiskey. Absolutely sublime
You are excellent Ralfy.
A superb dram and very reasonably priced.
Ralfy is a true poet singing songs of malt.
i got this bottle last month and its great stuff, love it
Thank you for this review Ralfy. Informative as always!
As for good entry level priced whisky, I'm very interested in the Glen Scotia 12, which seems to have a new bottle and package design, which also, as opposed to the previous bottlings- outright states on it "Non chill filtered" and "natural color".
In a previous review you mentioned it wasn't that good but when checking the date I noticed that was before they started doing that!
Have you tried it since then? What do you think?
Just enjoying a glass of Jura prophecy, your a star Ralfy cheers!
Waiting for that bottle to hit the floor seems that the lip saved it , so did I miss it or what was the Malt Mark? thanks Ralfy for the info on wood always something to learn on these reviews
stiggmatic . . you missed it, the mark is 90/100
Me too! I cringed when ralfy moved the log. I almost jumped
Good review as always Ralfy!
Have you tasted the 21yo? If so, would you recommend it?
I love Old Pulteney 12. I think it is one of the true bargains of whisky. I get it here in California for $36 a bottle.
Found 43% in USA. Would be interesting to compare 40% to 43%. 43% was a bit "meh" although I was excited to find OP for about $32 on sale. I do get Bourbon casks. Hit-and-run of hot honey. Accessible. 15 minutes after: Patience was greatly rewarded. "Icing sugar" and flaw of "modern prescription oak..." brilliant deduction from the man from Man. The thing with oak is a flaw, yes -- one which often appears in clumsy North American chardonnays. I think the 43% perhaps has the same issue. According to the Malt Maniac Matrix, the better OP: 40% OB, 2009 = 88. 43% from 2000 averaged about 78 on MMM. (MMM reviewed only 1 OP at 43%. I assume the review corresponds with my bottle.) 78 sounds about right to me. Problem: I cannot tell official bottling year (OB) from distillery label. I guess to understand id numbers, I'd have to get a hold of distillery. Bummer. A lot of work for consumers.
hi ralfy, you mentioned certain distilleries being lumped into the speyside taste profile, but doesn't really belong there. what is the typical speyside & highland taste profile in your opinion? thanks!
I have an old bottle from a dusty shop of this era Old Pultney. Someday I’ll compare it to the modern bottle.
@ralfy hello and thank you for the review! I am here in California and this dram was at 43% ABV for us. Why is that?
Most malts exported to North America have different characteristics. 750ml instead of of 700 in the UK and 43% instead of 40%, to compete with American standards.
Did anyone else flinch at 23:18 when the wood section nearly took out the bottle?
Ralfy can you do a 'maritime' review that lays out your favorite drams in this category. I feel like this branch of scotch does not get the attention it deserves at all. Id love to hear your thoughts. Cheers!
I like Old Pulteney 12. Just picked up my first bottle a few days ago. It has a slightly sour nose which is interesting. It was €31 which in my opinion is very reasonable for a good single malt.
Being from a town named Pulteney in New York I was glad to finally try this whisky. I find that letting it sit with water does tame the oak but also amplifies the marine quality right at the beginning, which I love. Any recommendations for excessively salty/ marine quality single malts?
wewalkedonthemoon caol ila
Wick is an evocative name to many we ex Merchant Navy types, Wick Radio station was very famous, shame all that's gone now
I didn't notice your Malt Mark . What do you give it Ralfy?
Loving this and Glenmorangie right now
Ralfy, following your advise i recently bought some grappa (mazetti altavilla moscato) and i'm looking to try some armangac as well. Unlike with Whisky it's quite hard to actually find good info on the subject, any chance you can do a video about them? Cheers!
preymonkie Prey, Ralfy had done a few brandy reviews sometime back. The brandy reviews seem to be between 318 & 321. The rating were good (85) through extraordinary (93 for a 40 year Armagnac [which few could probably easily afford]). Slainte, Richard
My store does not carry it, I'll have to drive across town for a bottle. I definitely will!
This is enthralling. I’d like to know your opinion of live oak compared to deciduous oak
Is the 21yo worth the higher price?
Hi Ralfy,
What about reviewing tasting Aultmore 12. It may be a bit pricey but I do like the idea that some of the more overlooked distileries launch some of their casks as single malts. With age statements, natural colour and NCF it must be an alternative to concider as opposed to a overpriced NAS expression.
Hey Ralfy, what's your thoughts on porridge? Last year or so I've applying the same care to porridge as I do to whisky, okay maybe not quite as much... a cup of organic whole groats (got to be whole groats), boiled for a few minutes in two cups of salted water, then left to sit for a few hours (at least two), then stir in a cup of milk and leave overnight. Heat in the morning, add a knob of good quality butter and a sprinkle of raw sugar. Delicious!
I surely do want to like it, in part because the price is so reasonable, but Old Pulteney gives me an almost instantaneous headache and overall malaise. My memory is failing me, but I think it was Caol Ila that produced a similar, though not as strong a reaction. I love so many single malts, Ardbeg, Laprhoaig, some very strong whiskeys, so it's not whiskey per se. I wonder if I'm having an allergic reaction to something....
Thanks for the suggestion. I just found a bottle at a very good price point. The bottle I got was 43 percent. Is there a reason why we get this at a higher alcohol strength in the US?
+sleazypig 43% abv, AND an extra 50 ml...We're spoiled here in the USA.
Dear Ralfy,
I must admit I have always wondered what you do for living. I also know it is still a content! But now I am willing to take a wild guess. You most probably are a scientist who also is a Teacher! A Memorable one ( for your Malt Mention )
Keep on ROCKING
Ralfy deals with the dead :)
Could this be the highest ever Ralfy mark for an official bottling 12 year old 40% caramel colored and chill-filtered malt?
ice or water is the same or there is difference?
Here in the States our Old Pulteney 12 yr arrives at 43% abv, and an extra 50 ml.
I revisited Old Pulteney upon a review of your library of videos last year. A pleasant surprise. I did not feel that the more expensive "Navigator" was 1/2 as tasty as their standard 12. Your thoughts? That said, PLEASE review the Oban Little Bay Small Cask! I fear this offering is sign of those things you've seen on the horizon, regarding access to quality barrels. Cheers
swordsworn7 I don't think there is much chance of this as Oban Little Bay is a NAS whisky. Ralfy has made it clear that he will not review any NASs in the foreseeable future.
Thanks for all of the fantastic videos, Ralfy. One question about the OP12: have you had or heard about any problems with bad batches of this? I had a fantastic dram in Scotland, a fantastic one in the US, but the bottle that I purchased in the US was very spirity/solventy on first opening, and hasn't opened up much at all-even after leaving it open overnight, closing it, and letting it settle for a month. I wrote a message to the folks at the distillery, and I guess we'll see from there. Thanks again!
+Bill Sallak . . . I am beginning to hear more of this myself, it's best to complain direct to the distillers and comment online, . . . as you are doing.
+ralfystuff Bottle code investigation shows that the dud was bottled in October 2014. Thanks for the quick reply!
Update: The good people at OP have written me back-they've checked their master batch sample from that time, found no discrepancy, and have said it is most likely that my off bottle of OP12 was TCA-contaminated ("corked"). I guess corked whisky is much rarer than corked wine, but still happens occasionally. As I live in the US, it's not so simple for them to just ship me a replacement bottle, but they're working with my local distributors to get me a complimentary replacement. A completely satisfactory result-good people there at Old Pulteney! Thanks for letting me clog up your comments, and cheers!
. . . you have done the right thing, now they will review "corking" contamination risk more seriously. Never a problem with quality screw tops !
+ralfystuff Hi Ralf - I purchased a bottle of this late last month, and, after having had a couple of drams, I can say that my bottle, at least, is fine. I admit I don't detect all the aromas and flavours that you perceive, but, as you've said yourself in the past, no two people will have the exact same experience of a complex whisky; and anyway, I'm not as heavily 'into'the study of whisky as you are (not intended to sound sarcastic, BTW), and, consequently, I hae less experience. I definitely recognise the malt characteristics, baked apple, brine and citus.
Ralfy do you have an email if someone wanted to get in touch with you?
Ralfy I know you don't like it when whiskies don't have an age statement.. But try Old Pulteney Noss Head if you get the chance.
Very interesting Ralfy! A friend makes maple syrup and he tests the trees for sugar content and only taps the sweetest trees. I was on the edge of my seat as the ash rolled and tipped the bottle!!! Please tell me the Old Pulteney didn't hit the floor! Sincerely, Ossie