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10th June 2026 |
Review of the
cornerstone of the Old Pulteney
distillery, their 12 Year Old which
offers a clear introduction to the
distillery's style.
 Few
single malts are as closely tied to
their place of origin as Old Pulteney 12
Year Old. Produced in the remote coastal
town of Wick on Scotland's north-eastern
edge, it has long been regarded as the
defining expression of the Old Pulteney
distillery’s character. Often referred
to as the "Maritime Malt," it reflects
both the heritage of the
distillery—established over 200 years
ago—and the environment in which it
matures, where sea air and coastal
weather play an unmistakable role in
shaping its identity.
Old Pulteney 12 Year Old sits firmly as
the cornerstone of the range, offering a
clear introduction to the distillery's
style and philosophy. Matured in
ex-bourbon casks that have been
carefully selected and seasoned by the
coastal climate, it represents a balance
of tradition and place rather than
innovation or experimentation. This is a
whisky that is less about spectacle and
more about sense of origin—an
accessible, widely recognised benchmark
for what a coastal Highland single malt
can be.
My review below will explore its
character in detail, but it is enough to
say at the outset that Old Pulteney 12
Year Old remains one of the most
recognisable maritime malts in Scotland,
defined as much by Wick itself as by the
distillery that produces it.
Old Pulteney 12 Year Old is bottled at
40% ABV and is widely available in
supermarkets as well as specialist online whisky
shops such as
The Whisky Exchange
and
Master of Malt
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Old Pulteney 12 Year Old Review
|
Bottled at 40% ABV.
William
Morrison's
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Bright
citrus leads immediately, with lemon
zest and grapefruit over a gentle
maritime breeze. Underneath, soft
bourbon cask sweetness emerges—vanilla
cream, honey, and light
caramel—alongside subtle sea spray and
mineral notes reminiscent of wet stone
and shell. Hints of green apple and
melon add freshness, with faint mint,
dried grass, and a touch of oak rounding
things out.
Taste: The
texture is smooth and slightly creamy,
carrying an easy sweetness of honey,
toffee, and vanilla at first sip. This
quickly gives way to Old Pulteney’s
signature coastal salinity, which runs
through the mid-palate and sharpens the
profile. Citrus oils—lemon peel and
grapefruit—bring brightness, while crisp
green fruit add depth. Beneath the fruit
and salt, a gentle savoury layer
emerges: light spice such as white
pepper and ginger, a hint of cocoa, and
a faintly nutty, biscuity note. The oak
influence remains present but measured,
offering structure rather than
dominance.
Finish: The
finish is steady and lingering, carried
by a clean briny edge that stays on the
palate. Sweetness from vanilla and soft
caramel lingers underneath, gradually
fading into drying oak, citrus peel, and
a gentle peppery spice. A final
impression of sea air and mineral
freshness leaves the dram feeling crisp
and invigorating.
Comment:
A classic expression of coastal Highland
whisky, balancing sweet bourbon-cask
richness with a distinctive maritime
salinity. It remains focused and
approachable, yet layered enough to
reward closer attention, capturing the
essence of its northern seaside origin
with clarity and restraint.
SMW Whisky Score
88/100
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