Episode 15: Old Pulteney 12 Year Review

I recently picked up a bottle of Old Pulteney 12 for a really great deal. Opening this up has reminded me of why I love Scotch. The flavours here are balanced, take time to evolve, are less sweet and floral than some whiskies I have had lately, but are worth the effort to get to know. Old Pulteney 12 is an excellent, un-peated, maritime Scotch. If you want to read a few of my notes they are here on my blog: whiskyneighbou... #whiskyfabric#whiskytube#whiskyneighbour #whiskyfabric#whiskytube#whiskyneighbour

[@AdelphosHume]

One of my all-time favorites. It's just so consistently enjoyable. I come back to it at least once a year to keep it fresh in my smell and taste memory-bank. Glad you liked it, too, and your review was spot-on in my humble opinion.

[@WhiskyNeighbour]

Just cleaning up old comments. Thanks for dropping in!

[@HelderCervantes]

YT suggested this old video and I had to watch it. Very fond memories of this scotch, one of the first in my whisky journey and among those I appreciated the most. I'm actually salivating now.

[@WhiskyNeighbour]

Wow, this is going back! A great Scotch though. Enjoy the weekend

[@themaltedmancave9499]

Great review. This one gets a whole lot better with some time in the bottle ......as I’m sure you know as well. Slainte

[@WhiskyNeighbour]

The Malted Man Cave Totally agree, thanks for sharing the tip.

[@erlendljstad8091]

This was a great review :) I started out as a big fan of Islay style whisky myself, but I have since then moved on to the two big areas, Highlands and Speyside. I have not tasted this one yet, but I do believe that you have sold me on it. I am looking forward to trying it. Keep up the great work sir.

[@WhiskyNeighbour]

erlend ljøstad ThNks for your kind words! I am glad you enjoyed the review. I hope you will not be disappointed, I know I have enjoyed their work. Cheers!

[@WhiskyNeighbour]

erlend ljøstad sorry... That was just meant to say "thanks". I am not sure what that autocorrect word is :)

[@Christian_from_Copenhagen]

Even though many told me to try Deanston 12, your review of the Virgin Oak and the great value convinced me, and it's great! Ralfy brought this to my attention initially, and most everyone seems to agree it's good scotch. Looking forward to this!

[@WhiskyNeighbour]

It could be where I am on my whisky journey, but that bottle has so much flavour, it is a pleasure drink, even with its rough edges.

[@Christian_from_Copenhagen]

@@WhiskyNeighbour The roughness plays well with the lemon notes and rewards tasting it both neat and with different amounts of water in my opinion. Definitely a great first step into more interesting territory for me, and Old Pulteney 12 seems equally exciting in that regard.

[@koryjean9744]

New scotch drinker here, always been mostly into bourbon and rye. Grabbed this Old Pulteney 12 and the Deanston 12 year expression and have really enjoyed them! New to the channel as well and really enjoy catching up on some of these older videos. Keep it up Neighbor!

[@WhiskyNeighbour]

Thanks Kory! I am really enjoying Deanston lately so I hope to find a few more expressions to try. Glad you find the back catalogue interesting! Cheers!

[@dennismhac23]

Your reviews are a great treat after a long days work. Gives me something to save up and look forward to! Now, this is on my top 3 buy list. Can you please review The Glengoyne 12? Vs. BUNNAHABHAIN 12 YR? I don't know which one to buy first.

[@WhiskyNeighbour]

That would be a solid review or comparison. Sadly, I do not have either open right now, and I am trying to drink down what I have! Likely in fall. Sorry for the delay, but glad you are finding these interesting!

[@dennismhac23]

@@WhiskyNeighbour Likewise! Interested to see what you think. Thank you for the response and please continue these helpful reviews!

[@RaphaelFoshay]

John, thanks for this review of a whiskey that I had been curious about but hadn't tried or happened on a review. I'm currently halfway through a bottle. I note the comment that it improves in the bottle after opening, so this response is provisional. As you mentioned, it bills itself as "the maritime malt", described on the label as "salty, mineral spice". I'm a lover of peat, open to astringency, but the maritime note to me is closer to marine rope . . . that is to say, the pong of wood creosote, evocative but not all that friendly a tang. Rather medicinal, it's very clean and hale. I'm learning to like it.

[@WhiskyNeighbour]

Wow. Your words give a very clear picture of a less than desirable marine characteristic! I have not found it to be that strong. If I really lean in to it I can taste how the salt and brine come up more like seaweed or the odour of kelp on the shore. This bottle is not all the way to creosote though, at least not for me. Perhaps let it rest for a while and come back to it. Thanks for the deeper comment and for sharing your experience with this expression.

[@RaphaelFoshay]

I respect a scotch with character, and OP is clearly not afraid to do its own thing. Tasting notes of "maritime" character are after all pretty broad in their range of possibility. You could perhaps run to the cultural and hear "Old Pulteney" along the lines of "Ancient Mariner," a marine "character" that who's been round the world and back, not much invested in landlocked palates.

[@gazebo2012]

Hi this is one of my go to daily drams. Very cheap in the uk. It's not perfect. I find it a bit thin however I like the salty taste of this.

[@WhiskyNeighbour]

Gary's Whisky Reviews it is priced in a good place for easy sharing or enjoying. The salt seems to evade me in the first few sips each time, but grows throughout the night. Thanks for sharing!

[@gazebo2012]

Whisky Neighbour it's just a faint hint of salt I think it off sets the sweetness. I find this whisky to be not overly sweet which I enjoy just wish it was slightly stronger like 42% abv. Nice job.

[@WhiskyNeighbour]

Gary's Whisky Reviews agreed. Just noticed you have a site. Subscribed!

[@gazebo2012]

Whisky Neighbour thanks for subbing. I'll be reviewing the old pulteney in the next few weeks.

[@danisideup]

Good review Jon! I just bought a bottle of Old Pulteney 12 years old. I will open it later this week. I often check your reviews, it's very interesting. Keep it up! Cheers!

[@WhiskyNeighbour]

I need to re-review this one. A lot has changed, but in their releases and in my palate and experience. Thanks for watching though. Let me know how it goes when you crack it open!