Old Pulteney Scotch Whisky

Old Pulteney Whisky Distillery Information

Founded in 1826 by James Henderson.

Location Highlands region Northern district Town of Wick

Water source The Loch of Hempriggs

Old Pulteney Whisky Distilling Equipment

Cast Iron mash tun

6 stainless steel washbacks

1 wash still called the “smugglers Kettle “ plus 1 spirit still.

Traditional worm tub condensers

Matured in American oak bourbon casks and ex-sherry butts in warehousing on site.

Old Pulteney Whisky Distillery History  

Established 1826 in the town of Wick by James Henderson. The Pulteney Distilled is the most northerly distillery on mainland and at that time was only accessible by sea. The barley was brought in and the Whisky shipped out by boat.

Because of the maritime connection many of the distillers were also employed as fishermen. Sadly the herring fishing industry is no longer part of daily life

The distillery continues to operate using the same traditional distilling methods first introduced in the 1800’s to create one of the finest Highland Malts available.

In 1920 the distillery was sold to James Watson & Co Ltd of Dundee. Whom did John Dewar’s & Sons Ltd subsequently acquire in 1923.Two years later the distillery is taken over by DCL

At some point in 1930 the distillery is closed until R. Cumming, a lawyer from Banff, resurrected it in 1951.

Hiram Walker purchased the distillery in 1955 four years later the distillery was entirely renovated.

During 1995 Inver House Distillers acquired the distillery and in1997 they released Old Pulteney as a 12 Year Old Single Malt

Pulteney is one of the most unique Scotch whisky distilleries. The wash still had no swan neck and it is thought that when the original still was delivered, it was too tall for the stillhouse and the manger insisted it was “cut off.”

The spirit still resembles a “ smuggler like kettle “ and the unique shape of both stills undoubtedly contributes to the distinctive character of the whisky.

Once distilled, the spirit is filled in to a selection of specially selected bourbon and sherry casks and laid to rest in the distillery warehouse, until the manger decides the optimum time for bottling each of the casks.

Throughout the years of maturation, the casks have taken time to absorb the Northern Scottish sea breeze and as a result, Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky is often referred to as The Manzanilla of the North.”

Pulteney Distillery Bottlings

Old Pulteney 12 year old

Old Pulteney 17 year old

Old Pulteney 21 year old

Old Pulteney liqueur

Pulteney Distillery Vintage Older Distillery Bottlings

Old Pulteney 15 year old Single Cask

Old Pulteney 18 year old Single Cask

Old Pulteney Aged 26 years Bourbon cask limited edition

Old Pulteney 1983 Cask no 6181

Pulteney Distillery Independent Bottlings 

Adelphi

Blackadder

Cadenhead’s

Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)

Duncan Taylor Cask Strength,

Private Cellar (Speyside Distillers)

Private Collection (Gordon & MacPhail),

Scotts Selection (Speyside Distillers)

Un-Chill Filtered (Signatory).

Whisky Galore (Duncan Taylor).

Published 8 times a year Whisky Magazine is the perfect complement to the dram in your glass. Every issue brings you fascinating articles on the art, science and romance of the 'water of life', plus page after page of tasting notes

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