Old Pulteney 12, known as “La Manzanilla del Norte (of Scotland)”

Our friend Ramón has brought to us from Edinburgh this bottle of malt whisky. It is made in Pulteney Destillery, which is located in the Far North of Scotland. It was founded in 1826 by James Henderson and in 1995 it became Inver House Distillers’ property. 

It is located in the town of Wick (Caithness), a small town which was the main important fishing port in herring capture in Great Britain. It had 1000 boats moored when the herring capture ended. As curiosity, there was a time when the only way to arrive to the distillery was through the sea. Therefore, the barley could only arrive to the distillery by boat. Many of its workers had two jobs: fishers and when the season ended, they worked in the distillery.

During those good years the port of Wick was famous because the casks for the rest of Great Britain were loaded there: the silver casks had herrings and the golden had whisky from this distillery.

The cask park is made of American oak, where the bourbon has been previously aged one or two times. Of the three warehouses used to age, the number 3 is the most important since it has 10,000 casks of a total of 24,000.

This whisky from the Highlands is also called “La Manzanilla del norte”, because its salinity is similar to the one of Sanlúcar’s wine (the two drinks are made in front of the sea).

At the end of October the 21 year old whisky made in this distillery has won the price “2012 World Whisky of the Year”, awarded by the prestigious whisky guide “Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible”, with a score of 97.5 out of 100. This is one of the most important prizes that a whisky can receive in the world.

TASTE

This beautiful bottle makes reference to the still where the whisky has been distilled. It is originally dress with no label, but with an engraving. Alcoholic Volume 40%.

Color: Wonderful honey/amber color, bright.

Nose: At first it makes a powerful impression, iodate and saline. It made us feel like DiCaprio in the bow of the Titanic, with the arms open receiving the breeze. Afterwards it gives a fruity perfume (apple), white flower and spiced (vanilla and white pepper), white chocolate, noble wood and the sea perfume persist.  

Mouth: Soft attack, elegant, delicate, well balanced. Vanilla with sweet notes, noble wood, flowers, salinity and a sweet touch of spices. When it goes through the mouth it has a long route where the dried character and the final smoked notes can be noticed, slightly saline and toasted wood.

After 15 minutes with the glass empty we wanted to know the smells we received. The memory of the chamomile (with the flower and saline notes) was clear. It was quite astonishing. 

A malt whisky to taste with patience. We drank it with no ice, only with a very light touch of water to open and discover its soul. Around 30€, excellent PQT.