Scotch

Old Pulteney Harbour

$44

OVERALL
RATING

6

Whisky Review: Old Pulteney Harbour

Tasting Notes:

About:
From the Old Pulteney distillery in the northern reaches of the Scottish Highlands, comes the Old Pulteney Harbour expression celebrating the brands connection to the sea. Matured in the distillery’s seaside warehouses, the expression combines a quartet of American oak ex-bourbon casks.
Appearance:
Rich Gold
Nose:
There’s plenty of sweetness, vanilla, honey and coconut. Balanced against some orange marmalade and tropical fruits, pineapple and apricot.
Palate:
Sweet tangy fruits first on the palate, orange, tangerine and apricot. Followed by some spicier notes, cardamom, pepper, oak – maybe a hint of tobacco.
Finish:
Tropical fruits give way to a maritime coastal salt hit, before a long extremely drying note of spicy oak and pepper.
Comments:
Bright and fragrant, this dram starts well, with a pleasant balance of sweetness and tropical fruits before a surprising overly drying finish – which spoils it at the finale in my personal view.

Old Pulteney Harbour is one of two no-age-statement (NAS) bottlings in the distillery’s core range. Inspired by Old Pulteney‘s tagline, ‘The Maritime Malt’, Harbour pays tribute to The Port of Wick in Wick Bay. Old Pulteney credits its harbourside location with the salty, maritime influence that can be found in much of its whiskies.

Old Pulteney Harbour is matured in American Oak casks and bottled at 40% ABV.

A Brief History of Old Pulteney Distillery

Old Pulteney distillery, nestled in the historic fishing port of Wick in the far northeast of Scotland, has been crafting single malt scotch whisky since 1826. Founded by James Henderson, Old Pulteney quickly became an integral part of the local community, leveraging Wick’s status as a bustling herring fishing hub.

The distillery’s unique maritime heritage profoundly influences its character. The salty sea air, combined with traditional production methods, imparts a distinctive coastal flavor to its whiskies. Despite its remote location, Old Pulteney thrived, benefiting from Wick’s access to the North Sea trade routes.

The 20th century brought challenges, including the town’s temperance movement, which resulted in the closure of all pubs in Wick for several decades. However, Old Pulteney persisted, maintaining production through these turbulent times. In 1951, it was acquired by Robert Cumming, who ensured its survival until it was eventually sold to Inver House Distillers in 1995.

Mark Bostock

Mark Bostock, an integral part of the Mark Littler LTD UK content writing team since 2019, brings a genuine passion for whisky, especially independent bottlings, to his work. His commitment to expanding his knowledge through attending tasting events and building his own collection enriches his contributions, blending expertise with enthusiasm.

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