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Pintail Whisky

Pintail is a range of single cask spirits named after the Pintail Duck, so-called because of its distinctive tail feathers. The series comes from independent bottler, The Whisky Cellar and features premium drinks like rum, brandy and port alongside Scotch whiskies that have been finished in interesting and unique wine casks. In this case, the whisky comes from Glen Spey, in the famous Speyside region.

Pintail was originally a blended Scotch from Matthew Gloag & Sons, a firm better known for its other avian-themed whisky: The Famous Grouse. The blend didn’t quite have the staying power of its successful stablemate but the name has been resurrected by Keith Bonnington of the Whisky Cellar and the label, including duck-in-flight emblem, has been faithfully recreated. To great effect, I have to add – they’re beautiful looking bottles.

This is the first in a wee trilogy of reviews looking at some of the latest releases in the Pintail series.

*Full disclosure: the whisky featured in this review was sent to me free of charge. As always, I will strive to give an honest opinion on the quality of the dram and the value for money it represents.

The Whisky

This Pintail bottling contains whisky from the Glen Spey distillery, in Glenrothes, Speyside. It was matured in a refill bourbon hogshead before being transferred to a French oak barrique that previously held Loupiac wine.

Loupiac is a sweet dessert wine from Bordeaux, produced on the banks of the Garonne River across from the Sauternes region.

The whisky is bottled at 54.7%.

Smell: You definitely pick up the wine. There’s notes of green grapes, pineapple, lemon and lime as well as a creamy malty note and a wee touch of grassiness. Like a bit of straw. Scottish tablet. Vanilla. Shortbread. Green apples.

Taste: Arrives with big fruity notes of orange and pineapple and lemon, then brings along some honey and caramel before releasing a blast of woody spice. Turns oaky towards the back but always with a malty backbone.

Thoughts: It has some similarities to a Sauternes. There’s a nice freshness to the nose and the wine and spirit character is held in balance. It has quite a sunny, summertime vibe. There’s a big, bold arrival but that tapers off quite quickly. In fact, a lot of the wine finish seems to come up-front though a splash of water found a better balance and prolonged the sweet fruitiness of the wine. Good weight on the palate and good intensity of flavour but maybe lacked a little something, particularly in the second half that would have elevated it to greatness.

Price: £90. It’s a nice enough dram with some unusual quirks that make it interesting and 14 is a good age but not sure I enjoyed it enough to pay that tag. A Pintail dram is always educational though.

For more about Pintail Whisky visit here

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