Old Pulteney Single Malt Whisky

History of Old Pulteney

From the end of the 18th century to the beginning of World War I, Wick was the herring capital of Europe. This town is located in the far north of Scotland. The large port of Wick dates back to 1808 and at its peak, more than 1000 ships made use of this harbor. Due to this explosive growth, more housing was needed. So Thomas Telford built the Pulteneytown district in 1810, named after the then head of the fishery commission.

Because the population grew so quickly, it was only a matter of time before a distillery was built. James Henderson took on that task, and in 1826 he began producing Old Pulteney. The distillery remained in the hands of his family for over a century, who sold Old Pulteney to a new owner in 1920. That was just in time, as two years later the consumption of alcohol was banned in Wick. This was due to the lobbying of an American preacher. Old Pulteney continued to produce whisky, but was not allowed to sell it within the city limits.

Since its establishment, Old Pulteney has actually produced without interruption. Only during the poor economic situation of the 1930s, followed by World War II, was the distillery temporarily closed. Eventually, the doors reopened in 1951, four years after the Prohibition of Wick was lifted.

Production

Anyone who has ever visited Old Pulteney understands that it is certainly not a run-of-the-mill whisky distillery. The distillery is located in the middle of a neighborhood, not far from the port of Wick. The whisky production takes place scattered across several buildings, a result of the originally cramped distillery and the expansion in the 1950s.

The stills are probably the most striking. These are unique in Scotland. One of the stills is bulbous and stout, and the top appears almost sawn off. It is said that this was once done because the roof was significantly lower in the past. The other still has a distinct U-shaped bend that deviates from what is typical at other distilleries in Scotland.

Old Pulteney is one of the few distilleries that still uses worm tubs. This is an old, traditional condenser in which the alcoholic vapor cools down. Combined with the distinct stills, it results in a heavy, oily distillate. The whisky then matures less than 300 meters from the sea. It is no surprise that Old Pulteney has a beautiful, briny flavor character.

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Over the years, Old Pulteney has won several prestigious awards. Expert Jim Murray named it his Best Whisky in the World in 2012. A few years later, Old Pulteney also took the top prize at the World Whiskies Awards.

Tasting Collection has a nice selection of Old Pulteney. Take your time to choose your favorite in our webshop, and we will ensure your order is delivered quickly.