Old Pulteney 12 Year Old

Nose – Firstly very soft, icing sugar, citrus, orange peel and sweet orange marmalade, brine and salty sea air in the background, a hint of apple juice and dry vanilla. With water it becomes yeasty and dusty, freshly baked dough, hops, a touch of wood smoke, pollen, floral notes and dry honey.

­Palate – Initial arrival is bittersweet orange marmalade and icing sugar, then sharp lemons, crisp apples, then lots of salt. A background of honey and biscuits, hint of black tea and fennel and some peppery spice toward the end. Medium to full bodied and mouth filling.

­Finish – More pronounced dry saltiness, some bitter green oak and roasted nuts, oranges and lots of honey returns in a long, warm, drying finish.

­I love the complex balance of sweet, salty and bitter flavours in this Old Pulteney. It is very enjoyable but lacks intensity of flavour compared to other malts. Perhaps a higher abv would help, but for the price I think this is one of the best malts out there.

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