Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky Session at Mondo

Following the tradition of making a single malt Scotch whisky, Old Pulteney single malt scotch whisky is distilled at a single distillery in Scotland. A copper pot is used to distill malted barley, yeast and water. Then the distilled whisky will be aged in an oak cask for at least three years. The more it ages, the finer the quality of the whisky. At the event held by Mondo at Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok Hotel, we tried The Old Pulteney tasting flight featuring three distinctly different labels, namely Old Pulteney 12 years old, Old Pulteney 17 years old and Old Pulteney 21 years old.

Growing up with my daddy who likes to enjoy a big glass of whisky or brandy at dinner, the art of drinking whisky is in my blood. Open the bottle and smell the whisky to get the sensation and aroma of it before tasting. Pour some whisky into the glass and swirl it around for a short time. Isn’t it a technique for wine? The theory is the same. The whisky has been trapped in an oak cask or a bottle for so many years, we need to let it breathe to reveal its true characteristics. Don’t drink it now, you may be choked with a strong alcoholic burn. Take a note of the colour while you are holding the glass. Smell the whisky and breathe in, letting the aroma of whisky to fill your nostrils. The first sniff may not be the true aroma, smell the whisky a few times until you get to a more stable aroma. Then, take your first sip.

The flavour of the whisky on your palate should be the most enjoyable part. The most important thing is not to drink the whisky too fast like a shot of cheap Tequila. Drink it slowly enough to allow your palate to experience its taste. At the point of swallowing, prepare for the most exciting part – the alcoholic burn! The older and finer the whisky, the burn is less hot and irritating!  The aftertaste of a fine whisky normally is quite subtle and the flavour can linger for quite some time.

How was the Old Pulteney whisky then? Among all three labels, I especially like Old Pulteney 21 years old. It tastes very sexy! At the Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky Session at Mondo, I also enjoyed a lovely food pairing recommended by Chef Supoj.

(1) Old Pulteney 12 years old paired with Fin de Claire’s Rockerfeller
This whisky was smooth with a faint alcohol burn. The flavour of whisky was complemented by the briny oyster. A rocking starter that made me look forward to the upcoming dish!

(2) Old Pulteney 17 years old paired with Almond crusted Hokkaido scallops
This whisky tasted quite differently from the first one. It had a spicy finish, complementing the fresh flavour of Hokkaido scallops. The almond crust, in turn, added an extra layer of texture to the whole pairing!

(3) Old Pulteney 21 years old paired with Rare Takati beef striploin
This whisky was sexy and fragrant. It’s the kind of whisky that I will normally drink on the rock while looking out from the balcony facing the harbour in Hong Kong. The beef striploin, if eating it alone, might taste a bit salty. If you drink a sip of whisky before savouring a piece of beef striploin, the taste will be different. The whisky further spiced up the beef! To me, it’s a lovely pairing.

The Old Pulteney tasting flight will be available from now on until the end of June 2017. This tasting flight features one 30-ml glass of each of these three fine single malt whiskies for THB 1,650++ per person. Guests at Mondo will be able to enjoy these famous whiskies by the glass or by the bottle at very reasonable prices.

Who in Gourmet Bangkok team reviewed Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky Session at Mondo?

Chelsea Chan ~ A food lover, golfer, fun lover, and adventurer
Chelsea was born in Hong Kong and is a genuine food lover. Her palate is especially sharp on Cantonese food, delicacies from Hong Kong and meat (especially beef, chicken and lamb). She is able to taste how the food is cooked and prepared. Besides, she is also a pro buffet gourmet because of her unlimited appetite. When she says ‘too sweet’, it may not be sweet for you as her preference for chocolate is 72++ dark chocolate.