Old Pulteney 35-Year-Old Returns For Another Limited Edition Run

Back in 2014 Scotland’s Pulteney distillery, located in that whisky region’s Highlands area, put out a limited edition 35-year-old bottling that for the most part sold out globally at retail. They are back again now with another run on this same age statement, with plans in place to make available just 1,254 bottles.

The second edition of the Old Pulteney 35-Year-Old, according to the distillery, was matured in a combination of ex-American bourbon and ex-Spanish oak casks said to have been hand selected by Pulteney distillery manager Malcolm Waring. Each was bottled at 42.5% ABV and you will find official tasting notes for this naturally colored and non-chill filtered Scotch at the end of this article.

As one typically sees when you get into whisky in this age range, part of its story (and price) is in the packaging. In the case of this 35-year-old, you have it being housed in bottles said to reflect the distillery’s “unique shaped stills.” Encased in an engraved wooden box featuring Pulteney’s herring drifter symbol, the packaging all total for this release “is similar to the first 35 year old release but with colors chosen to emphasise the Spanish oak influence on its flavors.”

“We are delighted to launch the second release of Old Pulteney 35 Year Old Single Malt, building on the success of our first release which was in high demand amongst whisky lovers around the globe,” said Old Pulteney Senior Brand Manager, Margaret Mary Clarke, in a prepared statement. “It is an exceptional expression, fantastically balanced and a true representation of the skill and quality of the Old Pulteney distillery team.”

No immediate price was mentioned. The 2014 release, however, dropped at $850, so I would expect at least around that if not a little higher.

A full-bodied expression, it is initially sweet and spicy on the palate, before quickly developing a range of flavours from honey, rum soaked raisins and oranges to the heavier notes of seasoned leather, pralines and a touch of the salty North Sea air before finishing with waves of dried fruit. A truly indulgent, perfectly balanced whisky, on the nose, it brings together honey sweetness, exotic spices and citrus, before releasing more gentle undertones of vanilla.