Whisky Focus - Old Pulteney 40 Year Old

The release of this rare expression of Old Pulteney 40 year old, the oldest expression of Old Pulteney to date tops off a year for the distillery which saw the quality of its Old Pulteney 21 year old expression recognised by Jim Murray in his Whisky Bible 2012 where he named it ‘World Whisky of the Year’ above thousands of other whiskies.

In celebration of the oldest Pulteney bottling to date and to reflect the quality and rarity of the whisky, every aspect of the Limited Edition 40 Year Old expression is exquisite and designed to embody the intrigue, craft and history of the ‘Maritime Malt’.

The expertise of Pulteney Distillery Manager, Malcolm Waring lies at the heart of each bottle, with Malcolm personally selecting and hand-filling each one individually from the ex American bourbon and Spanish sherry casks where this fine malt has been maturing over the decades.

The time-honoured skills of one of Britain’s finest glass producers, Tudor Crystal Design, have been deployed in the creation of the hand-blown Old Pulteney 40 Year Old bottle. Their craftsmen have fashioned a most striking and intricate design – retaining the original Old Pulteney bottle shape but deepest blue in colour with a shimmering silver ‘wave’ motif, created by blowing solid silver into the dark glass as it was crafted.

Each closure for the 40 Year Old bottle is unique, hewn by local Caithness stonemasons from a single Caithness flagstone, carefully whittled down into a series of unique pieces which were then individually polished and milled into the perfect stopper shape. A Scottish hallmarked solid silver roundel depicting the age of the whisky completes the bottle’s premium finish.

The luxurious design continues with a highest quality dark blue gloss lacquered wooden gift box, silver etched with the Old Pulteney logo and a classic herring drifter image. A hand-signed book written by whisky expert Charles MacLean, telling the fascinating tale of Old Pulteney’s history, completes the 40 Year Old’s presentation.

Old Pulteney Senior Brand Manager Margaret Mary Clarke explains that the 40 Year Old has been a labour of love for all at Pulteney Distillery: "The release of this wonderful 40 Year Old whisky is a fitting way to conclude 2012, which has been an exceptional year for Old Pulteney around the world. Malcolm and his team at the distillery have shown real dedication in bottling a whisky of the highest calibre which embodies the finest elements of Old Pulteney with even deeper complexity and character in every bottle."

Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky is crafted at the most northerly distillery on the UK mainland in Wick. The distillery was founded in 1826 at the height of Wick’s herring boom and it’s this maritime heritage that gives the whisky its identity as the Maritime Malt. Already a favourite tipple for whisky drinkers in the UK, Old Pulteney has developed global appeal and won a host of highly acclaimed international awards.

Old Pulteney 40 Year Old is bottled at natural strength and colour and is non chill-filtered. Its RSP is £1490 per bottle
 

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