Today – The Old Pulteney Navigator. This one, just like the one I posted yesterday, was a whisky that I was supposed to be tasted during a Tweet Tasting event last November and some bad luck prevented me from tasting it during the event and I managed to taste it only this week.

The Navigator is a recent release (released in 2013) to mark their sponsoring of a yacht in the Clipper Round the World Race (as befitting their long maritime influence) and is matured in ex American bourbon and ex Spanish Sherry casks.

The name ‘Navigator’ hints at maritime notes, so let’s see if it stand up to that promise.

Old Pulteney Navigator (46%, buy here for £39.45)

Nose: Starts with fresh breeze feeling, creamy cereal, some lemon zest and maritime saltiness. fruity, papaya and vanilla.

Palate: Initial sip is very mellow and smooth, lots of creamy notes with lemon tart and seawater salt turning into some gentle sweet honeyed oak sprinkled with some spices.

Finish: short-medium length with mix of smooth gentle oak and sweet honey.

Conclusion: It’s not too shabby. It’s decent whisky and even tho it’s NAS expression, it’s not too young and some age is showing here. I could definitely see people having a sip on the yacht deck, but I must admit that I’d take the 12yo over it 9 out 10 times. It’s smoother whisky, a bit sweeter but not sure it’s worth the price difference for me.