“Wick(ed) Games”
Whisky Review # 1092
Country: Scotland 🏴
Region: Wick, Northern Highlands
Brand: Old Pulteney 2006 - Distilled: January 2006
Bottled By: Hart Brothers Ltd. Glasgow in February 2021
Type: Single Malt Single Cask Scotch Whisky
Age: 15 Years
Alcohol By Volume (ABV): 52.6% (Cask Strength)
Maturation: First Fill Oloroso Sherry Butt
Chill Filtration: No
Maturation: First Fill Oloroso Sherry Butt
Chill Filtration: No
Price Range: US$ 80-120 (May 2026)
Price/Quality Ratio: 😐 Okay
Price/Quality Ratio: 😐 Okay
Buying Advice: 👍 An interesting take on Old Pulteney if you can find it at $ 80
Colour:
Chestnut with shades of Orange - Natural Colour
Chestnut with shades of Orange - Natural Colour
Nose:
Although it's not a Sherry Bomb, the cask influence is very clear. The Fruity and Floral house style is transformed in a "darker" Spirit with lots of Dried Fruit, Nuts and Spices. I also find some Dusty and Earthy notes. Not bad, just different. A bit on the Dry side and Medium Sweet.
Although it's not a Sherry Bomb, the cask influence is very clear. The Fruity and Floral house style is transformed in a "darker" Spirit with lots of Dried Fruit, Nuts and Spices. I also find some Dusty and Earthy notes. Not bad, just different. A bit on the Dry side and Medium Sweet.
Main Aromas:
Barley Sugar, Toasted Grain, Salted Caramel, Straw, Dried Fruit like Raisins, Figs, Apricots and Dates, Dark Red Berries and Cherries, Dusty Road, Orange Flavored Dark Chocolate, Buttered Toast, Nuts, Dusty Oak, Ginger, Nutmeg and Cloves.
Barley Sugar, Toasted Grain, Salted Caramel, Straw, Dried Fruit like Raisins, Figs, Apricots and Dates, Dark Red Berries and Cherries, Dusty Road, Orange Flavored Dark Chocolate, Buttered Toast, Nuts, Dusty Oak, Ginger, Nutmeg and Cloves.
Supportive Aroma Accents:
Toffee, Vanilla, Wax, Cooked Vegetables, Banana Bread, Fortified Wine (Banyuls), Grilled Pineapple, Floral Perfume, Wet Stones/Wet Paper, Pepper and Cinnamon. A distant hint of Polished Leather upholstery.
Toffee, Vanilla, Wax, Cooked Vegetables, Banana Bread, Fortified Wine (Banyuls), Grilled Pineapple, Floral Perfume, Wet Stones/Wet Paper, Pepper and Cinnamon. A distant hint of Polished Leather upholstery.
Palate:
The Sherry profile is carried over to the Palate. The mouthfeel is a bit on the Light side which comes as a slight surprise when considering the high ABV. The Alcohol is a bit more noticeable at this point. Still, it's my favorite part of this Single Malt. Medium-Sweet and quite Dry.
Main Flavours:
Barley Sugar, Toasted Grain, Salted Caramel/Toffee, Dried Fruit like Raisins, Plums and Apricots, Dark Red Fruit, Orange-Flavored Dark Chocolate (70%), Dusty Earth and Oak, Nuts, Pepper, Nutmeg, Cloves, Ginger and Mint.
Supportive Flavour Accents:
Buttered Toast, Vanilla, Wet Rocks & Paper, Polished Leather, Tobacco, Cinnamon and a hint of Rubber Tyres.
Finish:
Medium-Long, Medium-bodied, Sweet, Dry and a little Salty. Lots of slightly bitter Oak towards the end. The Alcohol is more noticeable now. I find Toasted Grain and Barley Sugar, Salted Caramel/Toffee, Dried Fruit like Apricots, Sultanas and Plums, Dark Red Fruit, Orange-Flavored Dark Chocolate with a 70% Cocoa percentage, Dusty Track, Dusty Oak, Wet Rocks and Paper, Fortified Wine, Tobacco, Pepper, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves, Ginger, Mint and traces of Polished Leather.
Drinking Advice:
I added a bit of Water and I get images of some Salty Peach on the Nose. Spices increase in the Finish but the Palate becomes slightly boring. I prefer it Neat but you can experiment with a few drops at a time.
Drinking Experience Neat:
I added a bit of Water and I get images of some Salty Peach on the Nose. Spices increase in the Finish but the Palate becomes slightly boring. I prefer it Neat but you can experiment with a few drops at a time.
Rating: 7.5 (*******1/2)
Nose: 7.5 - Taste: 8 - Finish: 7
*** Important Note with respect to Rating.
If the Final score is above 8 you can safely buy the whisky in question if and when it fits your Aroma/Flavor profile. If the score is between 6 and 8 you might want to try it out in the form of a sample or if offered at a good price. Anything below 6 should be left alone when you are looking for a nice sipping whisky. You might still like it of course & I realize pricing is an important item for many whisky fans especially when you are used to enjoy whisky in a cocktail or a mixed drink.
Good
Conclusion:
Pulteney was founded in 1826 by James Henderson in Wick. It is owned by Inver House Distillers, a part of International Beverage Holdings. The distillery produces 1.3 million litres of alcohol annually. The core range consists of the 12, 15, 18 and 25 Years, Harbour (NAS) and the peated Huddart (NAS).
Pulteney was founded in 1826 by James Henderson in Wick. It is owned by Inver House Distillers, a part of International Beverage Holdings. The distillery produces 1.3 million litres of alcohol annually. The core range consists of the 12, 15, 18 and 25 Years, Harbour (NAS) and the peated Huddart (NAS).
This is the first time that I'm reviewing an Old Pulteney Single Malt that matured exclusively in an Ex-Sherry Butt. Normally a varying mix of Ex-Bourbon casks & Sherried Wood is used. I'm surprised in a positive way. The Sherry adds depth to the Spirit while maintaining the "Salty" element. It could have scored higher if not for the Light Feel to the Nose and Palate despite the more than appropriate ABV. I would have expected more from a First-Fill Sherry Butt. But in general I liked this Hart version of Old Pulteney. I've seen it on the Internet at around US$ 80 and at that price I can recommend it.
Cheers! 🥃
Jan van den Ende May 21, 2026
