Old Pulteney 2006 (Single Cask)

An Old Pulteney single malt, selected and bottled by Cadenhead's matured to 12 year old, from 2006 and bottled at 55.1%. 288 bottles in all. Established in 1826 by James Henderson in Pulteneytown, Wick, Pulteney is the maritime malt of the far north. It is one of the last urban distilleries, set among the streets of Pulteneytown.

It was worked through Pulteney's boil ball stills, fed by Loch Hempriggs, before long maturation by the sea drew in its coastal character. A refill American oak cask held it, keeping the maritime malt to the fore. Past a decade the honey and wax build, knitting with the coastal salt. Maturation by the sea is central to the house style, the brine settling into the malt. The water runs from Loch Hempriggs along a lade Thomas Telford laid in 1807. Pulteney's stills are unlike any other, the wash still topped flat where the neck was cut. The cool, damp Caithness air gives a slow and even maturation.

At its natural 55.1% it is deep and honeyed. A coastal salinity meet light vanilla from the refill oak. Soft brine and orchard fruit sit behind the sweetness. It finishes clean, salty and bright. This is Old Pulteney's classic maritime character.