Old Pulteney 15 Years Old Rare Highland Single Malt (G&M)

Single malt Old Pulteney, an independent Gordon & MacPhail bottling, a 15 year old and bottled at 40%. Pulteney, first licensed in 1826 beside the harbour at Wick in the far north, Inver House has run it as a flagship malt since 1995. Inver House has made it the centrepiece of its single malt range since 1995.

The spirit was made in copper stills of singular shape, fed by soft northern water, and matured on the Caithness coast for a salty lift. Ex-Bourbon casks held the spirit, soft oak that lets the coastal character lead. By this age the waxy, honeyed core settles in over the brine. Refill oak holds back its sweetness, letting the distillery's coastal character lead. Sea air works into the warehouses, a saline thread that marks the house style. For decades this was the most northerly distillery on the Scottish mainland. It is one of the last true urban distilleries, set among the streets of Pulteneytown.

At an approachable 40% it is balanced. Vanilla and a little cream from the barrel runs under sea air, citrus and salt. Beneath it run honey, citrus and a waxy weight. Salt, honey and oak draw out the close. This is a far northern malt shaped by sea air.