Single Cask 715

By Old Pulteney

Meet our Allt Om Whisky Scholarship winners at Gothenburg Beer and Whisky Festival and be one of the first to try Single Cask 715.

With the launch of Single Cask 715 nearing we thought we would take the time to introduce you to the two Allt Om Whisky Scholarship Winners, Annelie and Jonas, who picked the very cask that will soon be launched exclusively in Sweden.

Tell us a little about yourself?

A – I was born in Sundsvall and studied Public Health at University and interestingly, practised as a tattooist while studying. I now live in a beautiful city called Nolby which is near the water. I live with my wife and two children and work as a support worker at Mead University.

J – I was born in Enköping and have one daughter. I now live in Stockholm with my wife and two step-children. I worked in the Swedish Army for 11 years as a Tank Commander before moving on to become a manager in a telecom company. In my spare time I enjoy Skydiving and drinking whisky (not at the same time, of course).

When was your first experience of single malt whisky? – where were you, who were you with, can you recall what you thought of it?

A – This is a hard question to answer as there wasn’t a specific moment. I always remember my dad and step-father enjoying a dram when I was little, too little to taste, and I was fascinated. It was beautiful and the feeling of knowing that the weekend had come was wonderful. When I could drink and taste by myself, I never had to learn to drink whisky. I always liked it.

I can remember one of my friends, Jonas (another Jonas), told me he was going to start a whisky society and I knew I wanted to be a part of it. Together we have had some amazing tastings and very nice moments. He arranged trips to Scotland, and I have visited twice, and I just fell in love. The trips, the tastings, everything, the language, it (Scotland) feels like home.

J – It was a Christmas party in Gothenburg in either 1999 or 2000. I was with someone I worked with at the time, and we decided to share a dram before heading to the party. After this, I instantly became more interested in whisky and quickly arranged a trip to Scotland with some friends. We flew to Edinburgh and rented a car, this was an eye-opening trip, and I enjoyed everything about it, the country, the people. After this first trip, I decided I needed to know everything (about whisky) and have been back around nine times since. Scotland feels like home.

When did you first hear about the Old Pulteney Allt Om Whisky Scholarship/when did you apply?

A – I read about the previous scholarship and this year when I bought the magazine and saw the article, I wanted to visit Scotland again. I started to write in my head what I’d write in my application, but, I didn’t ever put pen to paper. It wasn’t until my wife said to me that I should start writing it down that I considered it. Then one day while on my break at work I started to write. It only took me around 15/20 minutes and then I submitted my application. I didn’t think I was going to win, but I hoped.

J – I first heard about the Scholarship when I started to subscribe to Allt Om Whisky. On first reading about the opportunity, I thought it sounded like something I wanted to do, but I didn’t feel qualified. This year I saw the article again, and I knew I wanted to apply. I felt more qualified as I’d been getting to know more people in the whisky societies in Sweden so, I decided now was the time. It was the next step for me to get more information and learn more. So therefore I applied, I didn’t think I was going to get it.

What was it that made you apply for the Allt Om Whisky Scholarship 2016/17?

A – I wrote the letter because I love Scotland and whisky and I wanted to see and learn more. You can always learn by reading and tasting, but I learn by experiences and feelings. Those feelings, experiences and memories are very important for me. When I’m home, or at work or during harder times, it’s important for me to remember these experiences.

J – I agree with Annelie.

What are you looking forward to most as a winner of the Allt Om Whisky Scholarship 2016/17?

A – For me it’s the experience to see a part of Scotland I haven’t visited and to meet new people and to have more experiences and memories, this is important to me. I collect memories, and this is a way of collecting memories. These are so important as they generate feelings I can keep. On top of this, it’s a great opportunity to learn more.

This trip has been so interesting and positive. My whisky society know I have won the scholarship, and are happy and proud, because of this trip they would like me to host an Old Pulteney tasting. I want to share. Whisky is fun, my career is full of women who think whisky is so interesting and now they ask me to share with them.

J – Same for me, I can’t put it any other way. I’m also interested in taking the next steps and hosting a tasting. Perhaps, I hope I can join in exhibitions and festivals; I’d love to become more involved within the industry.

Our two Scholarship winners will be attending this weekends’ Gothenburg Beer and Whisky Festival where you can be one of the first to try Single Cask 715.

Single Cask 715 is pale straw in appearance. Sweet and spicy on the nose. With fragrant vanilla and toffee followed by zesty notes of lemon drizzle cake and poached pears. To taste an oaky intensity gives way to underlying tones of spicy vanilla.  Apples and lemons are also prominent and are complemented by a hint of warm caramel. The finish is long but lively, with spices and fruits.