Old Pulteney 2006 Cask #2059

This Old Pulteney, an official release,, a 14 year old coastal malt, from 2006, drawn from cask 2059 and bottled at 53%. A release of 264 bottles. Pulteney was dating to 1826 by James Henderson in Pulteneytown, Wick, and it remains one of the most northerly distilleries on the mainland. Wick was once the herring capital, its fortunes built on silver fish and golden whisky.

It was worked through Pulteney's boil ball stills, fed by Loch Hempriggs, before long maturation by the sea drew in its coastal character. An American oak cask shaped it, flattering the waxy, honeyed make. Mid age brings a fuller honey and a deeper maritime note. Maturation by the sea is central to the house style, the brine settling into the malt. 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. The distillery has worn the title of the Maritime Malt for good reason.

Bottled at a cask strength 53%, it is rich. Sea air, citrus and salt meet light vanilla from the refill oak. Beneath it run honey, citrus and a waxy weight. It closes long, salty and honeyed. This is the maritime malt of Scotland's far north.