Pittyvaich: this Speyside distillery is making a name for itself in the Special Releases, with three subsequent releases over the past years, usually with a high score. It is also the only ghost distillery these days, closed in 1993. I’ve always wondered why it survived the big crisis of the early 1980s only to close shortly after.
This year we’re getting a Pittyvaich 30 Years distilled in 1989 and matured in first-fill bourbon.
Pittyvaich 30 yo 1989 (50,8%, OB Special Releases 2020, first-fill bourbon casks, 7056 btl.)
Nose: convinces immediately. This oily, fruity profile with bananas, unripe pear and pineapple, as well as some etheral citrus oil and Earl Grey. Distant vanilla sweetness with light hints of beeswax. Some mineral and green herbal touches.
Mouth: this an oily, creamy quality, with slightly tropical fruits (green mango, bananas, guava) and vanilla cream. Sponge cake. Gets more mineral again, with some chalky touches and green elements (peppercorns, bay leaf). Something of an aromatic Tripel beer. Just a tad boozy perhaps, but a great profile nonetheless.
Finish: not too long, but clean with fresh fruits, now zesty citrus, ginger and mint too.
Probably the best of the Pittyvaichs so far, and one of my favourite Special Releases this year too. Bright, with a nice (slightly hoppy) fruitiness and above average complexity. Still available from The Whisky Exchange or Master of Malt for instance.