1980 Gordon & Macphail Rare Vintage Old Pulteney 31 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Established in 1826 in Wick, Pulteney is the most northerly distillery on the Scottish mainland. In its early days, it was only accessible by sea. The barley was brought in by boat, the whisky shipped out and many of the distillery workers were also employed as fishermen. Sadly the herring fishing industry is no longer part of daily life in Wick but Pulteney distillery continues to operate.

Old Pulteney used to be known as the "Manzanilla of the North" due to its dry, mildly briney taste. The house style has changed in recent times, tending towards a fruitier, mid weight dram, with only the 12 Year Old retaining its trademark austerity. It employs unpeated malt from independent maltsters and matures its whiskies primarily in bourbon and a small number of x-sherry casks. Pulteney has always been prized as a blending whisky. Yet, it's still relatively unknown as a single malt. Readers are reminded the 21 Year Old recently took out Jim Murray's World Whisky of the Year Award for 2012. It would be a fascinating exercise to compare the Pulteney of yesteryear with its present day incarnation. Opportunity knocks with this release from reputable independent bottlers, Gordon and Macphail, distilled in 1980 and bottled in 2011. Very limited stocks.

Other reviews... n23 t22.5 f 21 b22. Rock steady, clean and fulsome. 43% 88.5 points - Jim Murrays Whisky Bible 2013size>