Wick is a town by the sea, and Old Pulteney is a distillery in and of the town, nicknamed The Maritime Malt. Built in 1826, Old Pulteney uses a Porteus mill that is a century old to process the barley used in distillation. Named after the Pulteneytown district of Wick, the distillery is one of the most northern on the mainland. After almost 200 years of near-constant operation, albeit closed temporarily during times of war or temperance, the distillery currently produces 900,000 liters of whisky a year. The flare near the top of the bottle is meant to evoke a copper pot still. The Old Pulteney 12 year is the definitive offering in their core portfolio and is aged exclusively in ex-bourbon casks.
Distillery: Old Pulteney
Region: Highland
Age: 12 years
Strength: 40%
Price: $45.99
Maturation: ex-bourbon casks
Location: Wick
Nose: Anise, molasses, grain, floral, lemongrass, apple
Palate: Grass, honey, peat, lavender
Finish: Brine, oak
Comments: Water does not change things in a big way, only rebalancing some of the flavors slightly.
Adam – The Old Pulteney 12 feels for me like a classic highland malt on the nose, almost reminiscent of the Deerstalker 18 in ways. Honey and light florals and fruit. This evokes striding amongst the glades and glens in summer, a gentle breeze rustling the vegetation. An astringent honey on the palate, which seems antithetical in way but it’s true. Underneath all of that is a soft peat that transitions quickly into a dry finish of mild brine and wood, leaving your tongue tingling a little and eager for the next sip.
Henry – A beautiful nose with layers of sweet apple, light floral, candy sugar, and new-mown hay. Honeyed sweetness carries through to the palate, with grassiness transitioning to tannic oak and then peaty dryness, with a brief, astringent finish. The end is a bit disappointing, but only because the nose is so absolutely delightful.
Ben – The nose has that scent of cut grass, right after you’ve put it in the bin. With a funny sweetness like the sugar from lemon drops.
The nose has that scent of cut grass, right after you’ve put it in the bin.
Bill – The nose is more herbaceous than floral. There’s a very dry finish that almost makes it short. The Old Pulteney 12 reminds me of a candy called Claeys Candy, a little.
Mike – I really like the nose without a doubt. The palate is not the same as the nose. I don’t hate it or love it, I’m right in the middle. It’s way more astringent than I would prefer right now or really want. There’s a certain amount of complexity. It reminds me of Honey Halls without the menthol.
Evelyn – I’m getting some lavender on the palate, like lavender honey. Big honey.
Sam – I really like the Old Pulteney 12. It reminds me of riding my motorcycle through DL at the first mode of hay. You’re just surrounded by this sweet alfalfa smell.
Kim – I really enjoyed the nose with the floral and lemongrass notes, but it didn’t align with the palate. I don’t love it, but I don’t hate it.
