Old Pulteney Noss Head

I just realized I have only shared my tasting notes on two Old Pulteneys and that was quite a few years ago! Read them here and here. It is about time to add another one to the list 🙂

Pulteney distillery is one of the most northerly distilleries on the Scottish mainland. This is what they say about the whisky:

Packaged with a vibrant blue label and tube, the design features an image of the Noss Head lighthouse by which the whisky was inspired. Built in 1849 by Robert Arnot and named after the Old Norse word ‘Snos’, the lighthouse represents the nose-shaped headland where it is situated. Matured in American Oak ex-bourbon casks the malt inside has a full bodied, sweet and spicy taste with hints of coconut, lemons and oranges and a long-lasting finish.

This is a travel retail release bottled at 46 ABV.

Fresh and “green” on the nose. Washing powder, juniper, lime and vanilla sugar. It smells a bit like laundry. Spicy laundry if there is such a thing! I get ginger and nutmeg. Some oak. Green and salty on the palate. Eucalyptus, lime zest and oak. The finish is salty, oaky and spicy. A hint of ammonia. Quite dry.

My score: nose 20 / taste 21 / finish 20 / balance 20 = 81

Thanks, Thea!

– Tone