Old Pulteney 2007 DR (A.D. Rattray) (61.4%)

From A.D. Rattray comes this Old Pulteney, a 5 year old coastal malt, from 2007, drawn from cask 700741 and bottled at 61.4%. A release of 240 bottles. Pulteney was dating to 1826 by James Henderson in Pulteneytown, Wick, and it remains one of the most northerly distilleries on the mainland. Old Pulteney is known the world over as the Maritime Malt.

It was worked through Pulteney's boil ball stills, fed by Loch Hempriggs, before long maturation by the sea drew in its coastal character. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood adding only a light honeyed sweetness. At a youthful age the fruit is lively and the sea salt clear. The spirit takes colour and sweetness slowly in the cool far north. Old Pulteney is matured within sight of the harbour that gave Wick its name. The far north cold draws a clean, bright spirit and a slow take on the oak. Casks rest within sight of the harbour that once shipped herring across Europe.

At cask strength 61.4% it is muscular and oily. Brine and a honeyed wax sit alongside light vanilla from the refill oak. A crisp apple and a sea salt edge lift it. It closes long, salty and honeyed. This is the seaside style that made the distillery's name.