Old Pulteney marks 200 years with anniversary whisky
Scotch brand Old Pulteney has released a 10-year-old single malt to honour its 200th anniversary this year.
The ‘maritime malt’ was established in 1826 with its distillery located on the northern coast of Scotland in Wick.
Old Pulteney’s coastal location and maritime climate play key roles in shaping its whisky’s distinct profile.
The 200th Anniversary Distillery Exclusive release is described as a golden-hued whisky that encompasses the brand’s coastal character.
The whisky was first matured in American oak ex-Bourbon casks, before a further dual maturation in ex-Manzanilla and ex-oloroso casks, which is a first for the distillery.
It has notes of vanilla, citrus, spiced dried fruits, polished oak and caramelised pear on the nose, which are lifted with saline. The palate then features flavours of crème caramel, rich vanilla, lemon zest, salted chocolate and cinnamon, while the finish balances ‘soft sweetness with a maritime saltiness’.
Sarah Burgess, master of whisky creation at Old Pulteney, commented: “In my role, there are three things I always strive for: to create exceptional whiskies, to ensure every drop embodies the true character of our distillery, and to leave behind treasures for future generations to uncover.
“Old Pulteney has long been referred to as the ‘Manzanilla of the North’. Finding whisky laid down by previous generations that had been further matured in ex-Manzanilla casks felt like discovering a hidden gift within our warehouses.
“The gentle salinity offered by these casks, enriched by the depth of further refinement in ex-oloroso casks, has created a whisky that beautifully marries sweetness with our unmistakable coastal character.”
Old Pulteney 200th Anniversary Distillery Exclusive is bottled at 48% ABV and is available from Old Pulteney’s brand home in Wick and on its website for £99 (US$133).
Open day
Alongside the whisky release, Old Pulteney will open its distillery doors for a special open day on 20 June to mark its 200th anniversary.
Those from the Wick community and with a local postcode will be able to visit and experience the distillery’s newly refreshed brand home.
Numbers are limited and visitors can secure a spot on Old Pulteney’s website.
The free-of-charge celebrations include a complimentary welcome Highball, a 45-minute tour and a tasting of the new Old Pulteney 200th Anniversary Distillery Exclusive whisky.
There’ll also be live music, canapés and an Old Pulteney goody bag.
Pulteney Distillery’s distillery manager, Malcolm Waring, added: “Wick is at the heart of our whisky and we are also very much looking forward to welcoming our neighbours and friends from across the Wick community to our celebrations on the 20thth June.
“Few whiskies are so entwined with the place where they’re made as Old Pulteney. We want to ensure that our staff, their families and people from across the town have a chance to come together to toast this very special moment in our shared history.”
Inver House Distillers, the Scotch division of International Beverage, owns Old Pulteney. It also operates Balblair, Balmenach, Knockdhu and Speyburn in Scotland.
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