Whisky Focus - Old Pulteney Unveils New Travel Retail Exclusive Collection

It seems the folks up at the Old Pulteney distillery in Wick on the north coast of Scotland have been busy once again, this time with a revamp of their travel retail whisky range. At the TFWA World Exhibition & Conference in Cannes today they revealed three expressions, two new and one existing expression, which will make up their new Old Pulteney Travel Retail Collection.

The three expressions are the Old Pulteney 10 Year Old, Old Pulteney 2006 Vintage and topping off the trio of whiskies is the Old Pulteney 16 Year Old. The new collection makes a return to age statements and is presented in new look contemporary and modern packaging.

The Old Pulteney 10 Year Old is described as a welcoming and warming whisky that clearly reflects the renowned character of the classic Maritime Malt. Matured for 10 years in second-fill American oak, ex-bourbon barrels, this whisky is defined by a seamless union of rich sweetness and tangy citrus vibrancy, capturing the spirit of the sea through hints of salt. This golden nectar embraces a subtle spectrum of flavours from creamy vanilla and toffee to fragrant floral notes and mellow spice. A touch of leather adds complexity to a lovely, lingering finish.

Bottled at 40% ABV in 1 litre bottle, the Old Pulteney 10 Year Old has a very competitive RRP of £40.

The Old Pulteney 2006 Vintage, the second expression in the collection and the only expression to survive from Old Pulteney’s previous travel retail collection. It has been repackaged inline with the other two new expressions. This small-batch whisky is matured in hand-selected first fill ex-bourbon American oak barrels chosen by Old Pulteney’s Distillery Manager Malcolm Waring to optimise the flavour intensity and create a well-rounded sweetness.

The distillery tells me that the 2006 Vintage offers a complex diversity of flavours: Intense melting-toffee sweetness and refreshing, spicy overtones join the classic salty sea note, contrasted with crisper, refreshing flavours of coconut, citrus and green apples. The complexity builds on the palate and culminates in a spicy, fizzing finish of caramel and freshly ground spices.

The Old Pulteney 2006 Vintage is bottled at 46% ABV, non-chill filtered with naturally coloured, it is presented in 1 litre bottle and has a RRP of £50.

The Old Pulteney 16 Year Old sits at the top of the new look travel retail exclusive range, first matured in American oak ex-bourbon barrels and then further matured in Spanish oak casks that have been seasoned with Oloroso sherry. The distillery tells me that this specific cask selection has combined with a unique coastal influence to create an enriching whisky defined by spice and intensity.

Described as having "a full-on spicy fruitiness tempered by honeyed vanilla and a faint floral fragrance, while comforting chocolate notes hint at the indulgence to come. Each dram is packed full of juicy spices and mouth-coating richness, with hints of fresh green apples and seductive sweet toffee lending this whisky a long, delicious finish. From spicy fruitiness to the balance of honeyed vanilla, there is a rich sweet seam through every drop of this single malt".

The Old Pulteney 16 Year Old is bottled at 46% ABV, non-chill filtered and naturally coloured, it is presented in 70cl bottle and has a RRP of £80. Note that this will only be available in travel retail outlets where the two other travel retail exclusive whiskies are offered.

If you have no travel plans in the near future you can still find the recently updated Old Pulteney domestic core range of whiskies available from specialist online whisky retailers such as The Whisky Exchange, The Whisky Shop and Master of Malt
 

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