Old Pulteney unveils first distillery exclusive
Old Pulteney, The Maritime Malt, has unveiled its first ever Distillery Exclusive expression which pays homage to its coastal home, Pulteney Distillery, sat on the northern-most shores of mainland Scotland, in Wick.
Showcasing beautifully rich notes of stone fruits, citrus and toffee, the Old Pulteney Distillery Exclusive is wonderfully deep, and marries the bold flavours with the briny and sea-salt undertones that is synonymous with the brand’s expressions, after being lovingly matured for years on the banks of the North Sea.
Created as a tribute to Pulteney Distillery, which was established in 1826, the expression was first filled in American oak casks, before further maturation in French oak, pulling through deep, sweet notes with a subtle spice.
Old Pulteney Distillery Exclusive has been created by Distillery Manager Malcolm Waring, who carefully hand-selected his favourite casks to create a delicious flavour profile, before keeping a watchful and expert eye over the whisky as it matured.
On the nose, the expression is rich and offers a deep sweetness of caramelised apple, warm custard and cinnamon spiced pastries. Towards the end, notes of rye bread, orange citrus, stone fruits and a delicate oak dryness comes through.
The flavour is gloriously deep and showcases notes of sweetness and spice. Toffee, nutmeg and caramelised popcorn envelop the palate and develop into rich blossom honey, roasted almonds and creamy vanilla. The finish is slightly spicy, with notes of honey lingering on the palate before giving way to a welcome tannic dryness in the form of dried fruits.
The limited-edition expression is non-chill filtered and has an ABV of 53%, which is slightly higher than that of the distillery’s core range, allowing the delicious flavours of caramelised fruit, nutmeg and honey to come to the fore.
Malcolm Waring, Distillery Manager, said: “I’m very proud to introduce the first Old Pulteney Distillery Exclusive to the world. Capturing the very essence of its maritime location in every dram, the expression has been created as a homage to our home on the Caithness Coast in Wick, using my favourite French and American oak casks to create a beautiful, well-rounded flavour.
“For centuries, Pulteney Distillery has been creating some of the finest single malts with an unmistakable coastal character. Old Pulteney Distillery Exclusive is no different, and offers drinkers a rich and complex flavour profile, whilst keeping to its roots with the briny undertones that Old Pulteney is known for.”
Old Pulteney Distillery Exclusive is available at Pulteney Distillery and via Old Pulteney’s website (here), and retails at £85.
About Old Pulteney
Old Pulteney’s story, distillery, and whisky is shaped by the sea itself. The unique combination of brisk sea air and meticulous cask selection makes its flavour unlike other single malt Scotch whiskies. The award-winning core collection, revitalised for the modern market in 2018, includes: 12 Years Old, Huddart, 15 Years Old, 18 Years Old, and 25 Years Old.
The 19th Century fishing boom, which saw thousands of fishermen and their families descending on Wick every year, led to the founding of the distillery in 1826. Today, the town is better known as the home of Old Pulteney and its distillery. Inseparable from the spirit of the harbour town it calls home and distilled and matured by the sea, Old Pulteney will always be The Maritime Malt.
In 2022, Old Pulteney launched the first in its Coastal Series, a collection of whiskies that have been matured in seaside casks. The series is made up of four expressions, which will be released annually. The first expression to be launched was Old Pulteney Pineau des Charentes.
Recent awards for Old Pulteney’s core range include Silver for both Old Pulteney 12 Years Old and Huddart at the 2022 IWSC awards, along with an Outstanding for Old Pulteney 18 Years Old. Old Pulteney 12 Years Old and Huddart also took home Silver awards at the 2022 ISC awards.
Provided by Old Pulteney
