IB G&M CS 15yo 1990 59% - Old Pulteney.

[Willie JJ]

IB Gordon & McPhail 15yo 59% - Old Pulteney. Distilled 15/10/1990, Bottled 26/05/2006, first fill sherry butt.

Tasted: 28/03/2009
Colour: Treacle
Nose: Burnt toast, underlying salt. Quite closed. A spot of water brings out the fruit: rich dried sultanas and prunes and burnt caramelised oranges. The burnt toast never leaves it. even more water allows some fresh oranges to emerge from the smoke, which in turn becomes strong coffee.
Palate: Burnt toast again, but with dark Oxford Cut Marmalade and butter this time. Nice and hot too, just the way I like it. A rich Oloroso hit after a while though. The water lightens it a lot and gives prune juice washed down with sherry. More water brings out the coffee.
Finish: A bit numbing but more of the above. Water allows the finish to be more active and pleasant. Not long but fruity and delicious. More makes it almost mouth watering.
Comment: One of those really intensely sherried drams that really needs water to open it. Its great fun to play with it and watch it change as the water cracks it. But, for all the weight that the sherry has on this its extremely pleasant to drink. The burnt toast effect has no real sulphur feel especially when the strength is brought down. Ok if you don't like the taste of over-cooked toast then steer clear of this, but otherwise its great fun.