Old Pulteney 1997 Cask #1076

A distillery bottling of Old Pulteney matured to 18 year old, from 1997, drawn from cask 1076 and bottled at 54.2%. A release of 239 bottles. Built in 1826 in the fishing town of Wick, Caithness, Pulteney is the maritime malt of the far north. 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 American oak cask shaped it, flattering the waxy, honeyed make. At this age it is polished and waxy, the sea salt folded into a rich, honeyed body. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the honeyed, waxy core over time. Closed when Wick went dry in 1930, the distillery did not run again until 1951. 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.

At a full 54.2% it is intense. A briny, oily edge sit alongside a touch of oak sweetness underneath. It is clean and bright, the coastal salt lifting the honey. It finishes clean, salty and bright. This is the salty, honeyed signature of Wick.