Old Pulteney 18 Years Old is a single malt Scotch whisky from the northernmost part of the Scottish Highlands, bottled at 46% ABV. The Pulteney distillery is located in Wick, Caithness, in the Pulteneytown district, and the whisky draws its character from its coastal setting on the North Sea.
The whisky matured in American oak ex-bourbon casks (second fill) and then underwent additional maturation in Spanish first-fill Oloroso sherry casks. According to the producer, the whisky takes its character and colour entirely from the casks in which it matured. The distillate is also shaped by the production technique: unusually shaped stills with large boil balls give a more aromatic character, while the use of worm tub condensers adds body and depth to the whisky.
In the glass it presents itself as deep amber. The nose is intense and warming – with chocolate and creamy vanilla, honeyed sweetness balanced by lively spices, and a delicate floral-fruity note giving way to crisp accents of citrus and apple. On the palate, chocolatey depth is layered with honeyed spices and Christmas cake, while floral notes add finesse and citrus and green apple enliven the long finish.
The Oloroso casks contribute a layer of spice and depth, while the ex-bourbon portion is responsible for the vanilla and sweetness – these two influences meet the distinct coastal character of the distillate. The whisky is bottled at 46% ABV, non-chill filtered and at natural colour. This version, in its current cask blend, has been part of the distillery's core range since 2019.