Old Pulteney 12 Years Old (43%)

This Old Pulteney, an official release,, a 12 year old and bottled at 43%. Opened in 1826 in Pulteneytown on Scotland's far northern shore, Pulteney is the maritime malt of the far north. Old Pulteney is known the world over as the Maritime Malt.

The spirit was drawn off the flat topped wash still and boil ball spirit still that give the make its body, and matured by the shore, where sea air works into the wood. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood adding only a light honeyed sweetness. Around twelve to fifteen years the malt rounds into honey, citrus and sea air. Years in the cask round the spirit, the wax and honey deepening with age. Sir William Pulteney gave his name to the planned town that grew around the harbour. The spirit carries an oily weight unusual among Highland malts. Wick's herring fleet once numbered in the thousands at the height of the boom. Slow distillation in the squat stills builds the malt's rounded, waxy body.

At 43% it is clean and maritime. Brine and a honeyed wax sit alongside soft vanilla from the cask. A crisp apple and a sea salt edge lift it. It finishes clean, salty and bright. This is the seaside style that made the distillery's name.