Review: Pittyvaich 30 Years Old Limited Edition 2020

By Christopher Null | November 16, 2020 |

This is the 4th Pittyvaich release in the Diageo Special Releases series since 2015. This 30 year old marks the first time it has been finished in first fill ex-bourbon casks.

As with the 2019 release, it’s one of my favorites in the lineup, if not my top pick.

The nose is initially a bit gravelly and earthy, but this is just the whisky taking its time to ramp up. Give it some air and some breathing room, and before long a fruit-heavy wheel begins to spin. It’s a mix of tropical fruits and brown sugar, layered through spice — all making for a complex and immersive aromatic profile.

The palate continues the theme, with lots of citrus and tropical notes in a swirl with notes of brown sugar, chocolate, and lots of baking spices giving the whisky a decidedly holiday feel. A hint of butterscotch and apple brown betty sweeten up a finish that doesn’t really need it — but which is entirely welcome all the same.

101.6 proof.

A / $525 / malts.com [BUY IT NOW FROM THE WHISKY BARREL]