2004 Old Pulteney 13 Year Old “K&L Exclusive” Single Cask No. 231 Cask Strength Highland Single Malt Whisky 750ml (ships as 1.5L) ($109.99)
This exceptional cask from the gorgeous little distillery in Wick is the first we’ve ever had directly from Old Pulteney. Distilled in late 2004 and filled into and ex-bourbon barrel, the whisky was bottled at the end of last year without any dilution or filtration of any kind. Old Pulteney, despite wining nurmerous accolades, remains one of Scotland’s great unsung heros in the Highlands. Built in 1826, it was not easily accesible until much later. Barley would have been shipped in on fishing vessels and whisky shipped out. While Wick was once known for their herring, it’s claim to fame is this wonderful malt that was once the most northerly distillery on mainland Scotland. The Pulteney Distillery has an extremely unusual lyne that slop sharply down into the condenser. The spirit is full bodied and packed with flavor and nearly 14 years in the cold damp warehouse near the distillery has given this whisky tons of oceany character. These nose is intense combo of rich toffee, vanilla, purple stone fruits and aged wood. The palate tingle with salty maltiness, seville orange peel, bold orchard fruit and salted dark cocoa. Creamy and textured building toward a long spice driven finish.
David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 23, 2019
Old Pulteney is one of those under the radar distilleries that the geeks hate to talk about. No one was happy when Jim Murray named their now discontinued 21-year-old Whisky of the Year and rightfully so as it’s become nearly impossible to acquire at the original price. Despite the awards and good will from the cognoscenti, Pulteney has remained a background player in the single malt world. Current owners, ThaiBev, however are looking to establish the Old distillery in the very north of Scotland in its rightful place as one of the highlands most well regarded malts. Part of that process is changing from the off-year expressions to the more familiar age offerings (12, 18, 25), but also by launching seemingly secret single barrel program. Only a handful of shops have jumped on the opportunity to own a cask strength single barrel from the odd little distillery in Wick. We’ve been lucky enough to be one of them. As with many Pulteney, the nose is pure salt, malt, herbal tea and cardamom. The palate is deep with the roasted cocoa, fudge, touches of anise, fennel and vanilla. But of course, with water this thing erupts. Now on the nose the ripest Bartlett pears – smashed, lemon peel, Mirabelle, dried apricot, salted butter on toast. The anise moving much more toward mint and fennel flavors and a long creamy texture is pointed with cotton candy, lemon oils and the tiniest hints of diesel smoke. Staunchly pleasing due to its exceptional purity and straight forwardness. The in
Jackson Lee | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 21, 2019
Nosing this and I immediately recognized the danger. I immediately was reminded of Sierra Mist soda, pears and dried, candied ginger. Sipping it and the spirit was full bodied, and surprisingly silky given its age; notes of candied pears and spiced caramel apples dominated while there was just a slight hint of pencil shavings. The finish was a bit quick but pleasant as spiced pears and oak rounded this dram out. If not careful, this bottle could disappear in a hurry.
Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 17, 2019
This is an elegant and easy to enjoy single malt that should please a lot of people. It is complex with clean and soft malty flavors that are delicate and fine. All of this is enhanced with a creamy mouth feel.
