Old Pulteney 1990 (Authentic Collection)

Cadenhead's bottled this Old Pulteney single malt at 17 year old, from 1990 and bottled at 54.2%. Only 165 bottles were released. Set in the fishing town of Wick, Caithness, Pulteney has distilled since 1826. 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. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, gentle American oak beneath the brine. Around twelve to fifteen years the malt rounds into honey, citrus and sea air. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the honeyed, waxy core over time. Slow distillation in the squat stills builds the malt's rounded, waxy body. The cool maritime climate is as much a part of the whisky as the cask. Honey, beeswax and sea salt are the threads that run through the range.

At 54.2%, undiluted, it is bold and waxy. A briny, oily edge sit alongside a touch of oak sweetness underneath. It is clean and bright, the coastal salt lifting the honey. The close is slow, brine over soft wax. This is the salty, honeyed signature of Wick.