There’s something about Old Pulteney that always feels like home to me—a windswept, salty, seaside kind of home. Known as the “Maritime Malt,” Old Pulteney hails from the northern shores of Wick, Scotland, where the salty air and rich distilling tradition come together to create whiskies that are truly distinctive.

Category Single Malt

Distillery Pulteney

Bottling series The Maritime Malt

Stated Age 25 years old

Cask Type Ex-bourbon & Spanish oak ex-sherry finish

Strength 46.0 % Vol.

Average retail price in 2024: $599+

This 25-year-old single malt is a special expression aging for over a quarter of a century, first in matured in American oak casks before being finished in ex-sherry casks, bringing a depth of flavor and complexity. It’s a pour for a very special occasion.  This isn’t a whisky you can expect to find easily, with a very limited quantity available. I was fortunate to receive a sample, and here’s how it unfolded.  

Old Pulteney 25 Years Tasting Notes

Appearance
In the glass, Old Pulteney 25 glows with a deep, golden amber hue—like the setting sun reflecting off the waves. The legs are slow and thick, hinting at the richness that awaits.

Nose
The nose greets you with fruits and spices clove and cinnamon. There’s caramelized orange peel, tropical mangoes, dried apricots, and a soft waft of honey. As it opens up, there are deeper notes of toasted almonds, and vanilla cake, and underneath it all, there’s a faint oakiness that is warm and inviting.

Palate
The palette is vibrant and adventurous; I am detecting so many flavors at once, fruit cake, spices, nuttiness, bittersweet chocolate, honey. It’s creamy and smooth, but thin, full of surprises. Mid-palate, the influence of the Spanish oak becomes clear with a burst of dark chocolate, toffee, and vanilla. Hints of ginger, clove, play off the fruit notes niceley, stewed apples, figs, and a tropical touch of pineapple. It’s almost overwhelming for my taste buds to catch up, but it’s so good I just want another sip. 

Finish
The finish is long and drawn out, carrying a delicate interplay of sweet and savory notes. The saltiness lingers, mingling with hints of caramel, orange peel, cinnamon, oak, and a touch of dark chocolate –It’s satisfying.

Overall Impression

Old Pulteney 25 Years is rich, complex, and layered with stories of the sea and shore. It’s not the boldest dram, but it’s adventurous and balanced–full of elegance and vibrance. For a whisky aged a quarter of a century, it’s surprisingly approachable, with just the right amount of maritime character to remind you where it comes from.

Have you had the chance to try Old Pulteney 25? Tell us about it in the comments!