Old Pulteney 2008 vW (van Wees) (46%)

Single malt Old Pulteney, an independent van Wees bottling, a 9 year old coastal malt, from 2008, drawn from cask 800014 and bottled at 46%. A release of 328 bottles. Pulteney was founded in 1826 beside the harbour at Wick in the far north, and it has distilled by the North Sea for two centuries. Inver House has made it the centrepiece of its single malt range since 1995.

The spirit was made in copper stills of singular shape, fed by soft northern water, and matured on the Caithness coast for a salty lift. A refill American oak cask held it, keeping the maritime malt to the fore. At this age the spirit is fresh and briny, the citrus and vanilla bright. Refill oak holds back its sweetness, letting the distillery's coastal character lead. 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.

At 46% it is supple and honeyed. Vanilla and a little cream from the barrel runs under sea air, citrus and salt. Beneath it run honey, citrus and a waxy weight. It finishes clean, salty and bright. This is a far northern malt shaped by sea air.