Old Pulteney 2012 Cask #1071

This official Old Pulteney single malt, a 13 year old coastal malt, from 2012, drawn from cask 1071 and bottled at 54.5%. Only 696 bottles were released. Pulteney was first licensed in 1826 in the fishing town of Wick, Caithness, and it remains one of the most northerly distilleries on the mainland. The distillery closed in 1930 when Wick went dry, and reopened only in 1951.

Distilled on Loch Hempriggs water in stills whose shape has not changed since the 1820s, the make was then laid down by the sea for its briny, honeyed style. Maturation in Oloroso sherry laid salted dried fruit over the coastal spirit. Past a decade the honey and wax build, knitting with the coastal salt. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the honeyed, waxy core over time. Everything once moved by sea here, barley in and casks out across the North Sea.

At a natural 54.5% it is full and oily. The Oloroso brings salted dried fruit, fig and walnut, and a briny, oily edge sit alongside a touch of oak sweetness underneath. It is clean and bright, the coastal salt lifting the honey. It closes long, salty and honeyed. This is the salty, honeyed signature of Wick.