Origin: Speyside (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 49.9%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Bourbon refill
Chillfiltered: No
Added coloring: No
Owner: Diageo
Average price: € 420.00
Official website: –
I remember perfectly when, last April, during the trip organized by Whisky Club Italia in Speyside, Claudio Riva took us to see what was left of the not very fortunate Pittyvaich (less than twenty years of activity), and the sight that we found in front of us was this:
Nothing. Not even a stone. Nothing that could even vaguely suggest the presence of a distillery (the warehouses in the background belong to its neighbour Dufftown Distillery, just a few dozen metres away).
This sad glimpse, instead of depressing me, sparked the desire to taste a Pittyvaich whisky, and good fortune has it that I was finally able to do so today.
And here is this 25yo from refill ex-bourbon casks, offered in Diageo’s 2015 Special Releases. Distilled in 1989 and bottled at 49.9%abv in 5,922 bottles, it is still, quite incredibly, available. Or perhaps not so incredibly, given that we’re talking about a Special Release…
Tasting Notes
The color is light gold.
On the nose, the initial impression is a riot of fruit of rare delight, with apple, pear, and peach, also in spirit and in syrup, with a delicious touch of kitchen spices (an ensemble of rosemary and thyme). The patisserie dimension is introduced by a note of shortcrust pastry and confirmed by an unmistakable hint of vanilla and fresh fruit tartlets. The intensity of the aromas is ensured by a perfect abv. As the olfactory analysis progresses, the kitchen spices gradually come to occupy a leading role.
The palate is completely consistent with the nose: fruit takes center stage and pastry notes define the boundaries of the picture. The new note, much appreciated on a sensory level, is a touch of lemon peel which on the one hand softens the sweetness and on the other adds a quid of freshness. A dusting of pepper gives the whole a further liveliness.
The finish, of medium length, still shows fruity notes with echoes of vanilla, and that hint of lemon zest that represents the true aromatic plus.
Review: I believe the refill casks have allowed me to appreciate Pittyvaich’s malt in its most authentic form. This 25-year-old is an engaging but not showy whisky, easy to drink yet full of substance. A true Speysider, able to display its best qualities thanks to long maturation and a non-trivial alcohol strength.
Vote: 89/100