So, since yesterday didn’t get me anywhere, I had to make today count. Big time, since I’m away from home the coming two nights. If my palate is as crap as it was yesterday, it’s not going to get me anywhere.

Then again, one or two lucky guesses can propel you to stellar heights in the competition for a while. And one or two zero pointers can kick you down faster than you can imagine.

Sniff:
The palate is quite malt forward and has a certain level of green malt again, but not entirely similar to the Glenfarclas we had yesterday. A very light smokiness, maybe. Slightly salty with light vanilla tones. A quite restrained nose. Rosemary and some creaminess.

Sip:
The palate is quite sharp, around 55% I’d say. Vanilla and cream, leafy herbs and a very gentle salinity again. Iron, pepper and the tiniest hint of smoke.

Swallow:
The finish is slightly drying, lots of malt again with something green (herbs and malt). Quite long with chives maybe.

Hard to guess what this is, especially with that salinity and smoke that might or might not be something. I’m thinking highlands, (since Speyside is not an option…) and somehow I’m coming up with Teaninich.

Whiskybase brought me a 55.9% Teaninich that was bottled last year by Blackadder at 18 years old. That’s my guess.

After the reveal it turned out to be the 17 year old Old Pulteney. Curious, since I would have sworn this was a cask strength dram. Based on flavor that is. I did like it, and I did get a nice 50 points (30 for age, 20 for region) and that makes me a happy camper.

Not entirely sure if I’m buying this whisky, but I did like it. I just can’t wrap my head around the intensity of it. Also, it is slightly greener than I remembered, but at least the very gentle peat and salinity are explained.

Old Pulteney 17, 46%, available everywhere for hugely varying prices.