Old Pulteney 1990 Cadenhead’s 175th Anniversary

Cadenhead's selected this Old Pulteney, a 26 year old from 1990 and bottled at 52.6%. Just 168 bottles were filled. Pulteney, first licensed in 1826 in Pulteneytown on Scotland's far northern shore, it has been the maritime malt of Caithness ever since. Wick was once the herring capital, its fortunes built on silver fish and golden whisky.

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 was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, the backbone of the Pulteney style. Decades leave it deep and oxidative, honeyed wax and dried fruit with a faint brine. The cool, damp northern climate slows maturation, letting the spirit take wood gently over many years. A faint salinity threads the honey, the mark of long coastal maturation. Sir William Pulteney gave his name to the planned town that grew around the harbour.

At a natural 52.6% it is full and oily. Sea air, citrus and salt meet soft vanilla from the cask. Beneath it run honey, citrus and a waxy weight. A waxy, coastal finish lingers long. This is the maritime malt of Scotland's far north.