Another curious offering from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society - an Old Pulteney which spent 11 years in ex-bourbon barrels, only to be re-racked into first fill PX casks (!), resulting in a most unusual 13 year Scotch. Old Pulteney is generally known for its high salinity, a rather salty dram. How will this combine with the sherry influence? Let's find out. Bottled at 58.9% and nicknamed "North Meets South."
Nose: The sherry really dominates here - you'd never know about those first 11 years in a bourbon barrel, that's for sure. Sherry fruit is everywhere, along with a very mild salinity and a hint of smoke. A lot of honey, too, which is quite nice. Rather sweet, the nose. With some water, you get a ton - an avalanche - of brown sugar and butter.
Mouthfeel: Silky but on the thinner side.
Palate: Follows the nose directly - a little salty, wisps of smoke, some sherry influence... and finally some toasted oak from, presumably, the bourbon barrels. Caramel comes through as well. Quite sweet.
Finish: Caramel and toasted oak. I lose the smoke at this stage, sadly.
Verdict: I am going to make a controversial remark and say that I don't particularly care for this. I think the sherry influence is too strong and overbears the bourbon. It is quite nice for a medium-age sherry whisky, but I feel like the Old Pulteney in it has been largely lost - that sweet sherry eats it right up, and leaves only hints of salt and smoke, the merest hints. I'm going to give this bottle to my friend Rob Martin and see what he thinks. Maybe it's just the wrong day and time for me?
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