🥃 Whisky Auctioneer

It's really on the green side of the things but not bad actually...

Quite mineral, green fruits, lime, a bit bitter, very interesting but I guess quite divisive

Part of a small sample series where I tasted 5 different Diageo special releases 1989 of Pittyvaich, from ages 20, 25, 28, 29 and 30 years old.

First Fill Finish The last three years Pittyvaich appeared in the Diageo Special Releases. Hence we were offered with a 28, 29 and 30 years old. I gladly put the most recent to the test. Knowing that this young distillery – built in 1975 but closed already in 1993 – is a lost distillery adds something extra to this whisky. The difference with the previous release is the fact that this whisky received a finish on first fill bourbon casks. Rich sweetness with vanilla and white fruit, bay leaves, green banana, mango and the sap of greenwood. Some freshly baked pie with mirabelles. Fresh note of menthol in the back. Absolutely cracking nose! Perfect drinking strength with banana, mango, apples and some chalk. Again a fresh note of mint or menthol. Some candied ginger and liquorice, but nicely fruity. This is again a very impressive malt. Medium long, very fruity finish that puts a smile on my face. Comes very close to the 28 Yar Old, but is just a tad more sweet because of the finish. In my book, it’s just a tad better too. Excellent! It took quite a bit out of my malt budget, but I have enjoyed every sip immensely.

Interesting profile that share's some similarities with the Dalwhinnie from this years Special Releases.

Dense, vibrant, full of ripe yellow fruits and berries, harmonious in this flavor profile with alcoholic notes, dry in the finish.

Aroma：Intense；Palate：89/100; Aftertaste：Med-Long.

50+2+10+11+2

This whisky makes you want to forget everything and focus on the taste! It slips away, stirring up the most diverse corners of your consciousness, where you rush to extract those very notes you once sensed somewhere, perhaps decades ago. While the aroma appears frozen, the taste is very fluid, constantly expanding across the palette and constantly evolving in the air. I was stunned.. Difficulty of decomposition into notes: 8/0 22 24 22 21.5

From my personal point of view, it does not quite reach the class of old, bourbon-aged Glen Grants, but it is a very good alternative. Great complexity.

An excellent whisky. Very layered and complex. Had the sample breathe for several hours.

Around 7,000 bottles, but this batch is already quite distinctive. The bourbon barrels used were neither too intense nor too worn out. The almost 51 percent give a pretty perfect mouthfeel and that is the best part of the whisky for me. The aromas are of pear, sugared ginger and light vanilla caramel notes. There is also a lot of ripe barley sugar. Unspectacular, but good.

My 2nd most preferred OB Pittyvaich. Maybe a bit too much on the fresh bourbon wood, but still a solid dram. Some months ago I was wondering what rare or unusual whisky would make for a good 1200th review here when I got the chance to join a virtual tasting of the entire Pittyvaich OB line. The tasting was organized by two Finnish whisky hobbyists (many thanks Pete & Maija!) who had managed to get Colin Dunn to host it. Concerning the distillery itself there's not much to tell since most established distilleries have bottlings that have been longer in the cask than Pittyvaich was open (1974-1993, demolished in 2002) and the distillery's raison d'être was to produce blend stock. You try to wax romantic about that, I'll wait ;). So, how are these Pittyvaichs? All six whiskys in the lineup (see below) share a certain oily, faintly waxy and subtly peppery mouthfeel, a grassy and woolly (or perhaps it is old linen?) nose, with some touches of breads and flours that make for a whisky that most reminds me of old Miltonduffs from the 1980s, even though Pittyvaich was created as a replacement distillery for Dufftown. For me personally no whisky in the tasting was of such superb quality that I immediately would have wanted to buy a bottle for my collection, but they certainly had their own theme going and it's always nice to spend a moment with some lost treasures from the dragon's hoard that are the Diageo warehouses. The bottlings in the tasting were: Pittyvaich 12yo Flora & Fauna bottled 2006 (83 points), 20yo 1989 bottled 2009 (87 pts.), 25yo 1989 bottled 2015 (84 pts.), 28yo 1989 bottled 2018 (83 pts.), 29yo 1989 bottled 2019 (85 pts.), 30yo 1989 bottled 2020 (86 pts.) [edit] I got another chance to taste my way through the OB Pittyvaich set, and decided to do it in reverse order this time. It did not change my opinion much, and while I did enjoy them quite a bit, to me none of them is a 5 star whisky.

Very round malt that only loses a few points in the finish. Definitely more balanced than the 25yo and 29yo. For me, in the memory about the level of the 28yo. Tasted on 27/12/2020

Have to retry this again soon, delicious. For me it is the best of the 2020 Special Releases, unfortunately very expensive (400€+).

Honey, pear, citrus, wax, malt, vanilla. A slight sting, burning, delicate, good body, somewhat reserved, just about reaches a good intensity, somewhat one-dimensional.

It has a relatively oily viscosity and its bouquet is of medium intensity. I have aromas of spicy oak, citrus fruit, vanilla, creme brulee and honey. A complex malt. Relatively sweet in taste. The alcohol is very well integrated and it has a relatively light body.

Back then, SR still had its shine. A Diageo release that truly showcases the beauty of long aging.

One of those "initially quite (very( good but not stellar" bottlings, which imho benefit from air and ultimately time spent with it to get to know it better. Has some hidden potential that wants to be discovered. Perhaps not w/o minor flaws, but very interesting and attractive in my eyes. :-)

Today cross comparison between Pittyvaich 28y, 29y, 30y. 1st place Pittyvaich 30y 2nd place Pittyvaich 28y 3rd place Pittyvaich 29y Unfortunately, the 29y has no depth and looks rather flat. In my opinion, you could have saved the finish in sherry casks. The 28y has been one of my favorites for years. Super straight and honest. It convinces with the classic pitty profile and a pure Bourbon barrel maturation. The 30y manages to beat the 28y because it offers more depth and sweetness than the 28y. Here the finish in Fresh Bourbon Casks seems to have paid off after spending almost 30y in refill Bourbon Casks. Unfortunately, the Pittyvaich 30 is also the most expensive at € 400 or more (Pittyvaich 28y is € 280 or more). However, if you consider that it is a 30y Closed Distillery original bottling, you could almost be weak again. Since the circulation is large enough, there is no need to panic buying :-)

Apricot jam, butter, a little hops, apples, caramels, dried sweet potatoes, hop water

While I'm not sure if Pittyvaich is the legendary distillery it claims on the tin, this bottling certainly has character. The spicy profile often described here is slightly refreshing thanks to the bourbon barrel finish, providing a dynamic and enjoyable drinking experience. It's difficult to comment on price/performance, of course: I don't know the exact starting price. While it's not the best whisky currently available, it offers an interesting experience, and I didn't regret choosing it. Price performance: Medium, Medium-low (at current price) Would I buy it again?: I don't regret trying it at all, it's a very enjoyable whisky although I won't be chasing it down again.

It is not just fruity and sweet, but also shows interesting woody, spicy, herbal and medicinal notes, with tobacco as an embellishment. The overall expression is complex and clear, with distinct characteristics.

I wasn’t so hot on this at first, but it won me over as I slowly sipped over the course of an hour. That heavy oak bitterness got rounder, the strong perfume notes seemed more integrated, and the nose got deeper and fruitier. The last sip was the best! That said, it does seem to fall short of recent experiences with old Blair Athol, Glenturret, and Longmorn. I’d have enjoyed those tropical notes to be more prominent, but instead the perfume and oak are running the show. It’s still got great complexity and a nice long finish. I think it’s a very good whisky, but not quite a great one.

Just like Karl Rila's high-age bourbon, chicken ribs, chicken ribs, no meat, but tasteful.

Very fruity (orange, peach, apricot) with nice menthol notes - dangerously drinkable !

Honey, pineapple, wood, grass, citrus, kumquat, mint, clove.

My favorite among the special release (I tried) this year.. 89 or 91 hmm

0.8 left opened for a year Glassware: Crystal Tulip Colour: White Gold

An excellent example of bourbon aging. Not super complicated and deep, but complex, balanced, verified in details. In a nutshell - quality tape.

the wood feel is too strong

I tasted a sample: This is the first 30 year old whisky and the oldest spirit I have ever tasted so far. What a surprise that there still is so much power! I am looking forward to tasting this again when I will open the real bottle! This certainly is a whisky that deserves time and devotion.

Oh my God, this dram is so special. I dont find the right words in English but I have never had a taste like this and I think the whole day about it. I am a bit in love with this fine taste and I am very happy to have more for special evenings and to share with good friends.

saline, sweet, papaya, herbal. has a slight bitter aftertaste. very interesting taste profile

Overall 95/100 NOSE: tropical fruits; pear, papaya, pineapple TASTE: smooth, creamy, vanilla, FINISH: Sweet and smooth, very subtle spicy