Old Pulteney 2011 HB (Hart Brothers)

Hart Brothers selected this Old Pulteney matured to 8 year old, from 2011 and bottled at 46%. Opened in 1826 in Pulteneytown on Scotland's far northern shore, Pulteney is the maritime malt of the far north. 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. An American oak cask shaped it, flattering the waxy, honeyed make. Still young, the malt is clean and zesty with a saline tang. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the honeyed, waxy core over time. 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. It is one of the last true urban distilleries, set among the streets of Pulteneytown.

At 46% it is clean and maritime. Honeyed wax and a saline lift meet soft vanilla from the cask. The texture is oily and coating, the salt threaded through. The finish is deep, oily and maritime. This is the maritime malt of Scotland's far north.