7 members of WeeDrammers met at Bill H.’s to sample #’s 180 and 181 in our quest. A toast to the absent members was forthcoming as we missed them at the gathering.
For this get together, Bill offered two delightful, slightly smoky, drams, the Glen Moray 15 year old and the Old Pulteney Huddart. Both came from Alberta private liquour establishments.
First up was the Glen Moray 15 Year Old. At 40% abv this dram was purchased in Alberta
private stores and is priced at roughly $90.00.
Glen Moray began as the Elgin West Brewery, which had made local ales since 1830. It then transformed into the whisky distillery we know today. The first spirit, produced on 13th September, 1897 was made entirely from local barley and was filled into an unusually wide variety of casks for the time, including Marsala wine casks and sherry casks.
Today, the 15 Year Old combines two very different cask types to produce on outstanding dram. For half its maturation, Glen Moray uses American oak embodying their classic style; the other half utilizes oloroso sherry casks providing rich spices. Together. These contrasting styles together produce intensely complex layers with tastes of dried fruits, dark chocolate and spice. Amplified by age, Glen Moray 15 is a perfect treat for single malt lovers eager to discover more.
15 year old single malt from the Glen Moray distillery, is released as part of the Elgin Heritage range – which is “all about showing off the accessible deliciousness of its Speyside whisky”. This was drawn from a selection of American oak and Sherry casks.
Tasting Note by The Chaps at Master of Malt
- Nose: Sweet as it opens with white chocolate and caramel. A hint of charred oak smokiness develops.
- Palate: Crumbly fudge with a few sea salt flakes, shortly joined by banana fritters and chocolate raisins.
- Finish: Cinnamon and ground ginger.
Overall, Glen Moray 15 Year Old is a superb expression of Speyside whisky craftsmanship. It strikes a perfect balance between sweetness and complexity, offering a nuanced journey from its inviting nose to its lingering finish. This whisky is ideal for those who appreciate a well-aged dram that doesn’t compromise on flavour or elegance.
Our second dram for the evening was Old Pulteney Huddart Single Malt. At 46% abv this dram was purchased in Alberta and is priced at roughly $120.00
Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky is distilled here at Pulteney Distillery in Wick, on the shores of north-eastern Scotland. Here they produce hand-crafted single malt whiskies and age them “next to the sea”, giving them an unmistakable coastal character.
Old Pulteney’s claims their story is “inseparable from the sea and the bountiful opportunities it brought – forever intertwined not only with our maritime climate but with the community, heritage and spirit of our coastal home of Wick”.
The distillery was founded in 1826 by James Henderson and was named after the newly developed Pulteneytown area of Wick. At the time it was one (and still is) of the most northerly on the Scottish mainland, and due to a lack of conventional roads, was only accessible by sea. The raw barley was brought in by boat and the whisky was then shipped out by distillery workers who were also herring fishermen.
Today, the herring fishing industry has long since gone, but Pulteney Distillery remains steadfast. Led by Malcolm Waring, Old Pulteney produces approximately 900,000 litres of single malt scotch whisky a year. Their dedication to their craft embodies the heritage, spirit and heart of Wick.
The Old Pulteney Huddart introduces a smoky edge to Old Pulteney and celebrates their birthplace whilst bringing something different to our core whisky collection. Matured solely in American oak barrels, Huddart is initially matured in second fill ex-bourbon barrels before further maturation in ex-peated whisky barrels which add a slight smokiness, making it an excellent choice for those looking for something with just a slight influence of peat.
Master of Malt describes this dram this way:
One of four expressions released by Old Pulteney in mid-2018, Huddart is named after the street on which the distillery resides. Following a finishing period in that previously held peated whisky, this is a particular smoky and intense dram.
Tasting Note by The Chaps at Master of Malt
- Nose Caramel apple, a whiff of bonfire smoke followed by creamy vanilla.
- PalateBurnt sugar and fried banana, alongside a touch of brine.
- FinishLingering thyme honey and earthy malt.
Overall, Old Pulteney Huddart is a captivating expression that embodies the essence of its coastal heritage. It combines robust flavours with maritime influences in a harmonious balance, creating a whisky that is both adventurous and comforting. This is a dram for those who appreciate bold flavours and a distinctive sense of place in their whisky.
Bill, offered an array of appetizers to accompany the drams, cheeses, pork tenderloin slices, fruit, lox, an assortment of crackers and of course, dark chocolate all proved a hit with the group
Well done Bill; another fun evening with friends, good scotch and fine food!
