Old Pulteney 40 Years Old Highland Single Malt

On first nose, a little tight: needs time to unloosen. When it does there is enough cloves to stock a dentist's for a month; the delivery is eye-watering in its oaky intensity: virtually pure tanin. Thankfully, the malt is intact, following behind like a faithful St Bernard's dog, dispensing molassed sugars at essential moments; a gorgeous chocolate pecan tart, where the chef has gone a little heavy on the salt; a malt just waiting to wilt and keel over. However, its survival instinct is strong, while its complexity at the death is scrumptious! Score - 88.5. (Jim Murray, Whisky Bible, 2013)