Scottish Whisky : Scotch

Pulteney Distillery lies on the southern side of Wick, and is Scotlands's most northerly mainland distillery.  At one time, Wick was deemed to be such an unruly place that it suffered from a period of prohibitions.  Ironically, the distillery was still producing its whisky throughout the period of enforced abstinence. 

Packaged with a vibrant blue label and tube, the design features an image of the Noss Head lighthouse by which the whisky was inspired. Built in 1849 by Robert Arnot and named after the Old Norse word ?Snos?, the lighthouse represents the nose-shaped headland where it is situated. Matured in American Oak ex-bourbon casks the malt inside has a full bodied, sweet and spicy taste with hints of coconut, lemons and oranges and a long-lasting finish.

Old Pulteney 2006 Vintage is matured next to the sea in first-fill American oak ex-bourbon casks. This polished copper single malt entices with its elegant spicy vanilla and energetic melting toffee aromas.

This heavily peated single malt Scotch whisky is jam packed with coastal air and bonfire ember notes with plenty of power behind it. Not for the faint of heart, this one.

Colour - Glows like a barley field of shimmering gold

Nose - Elegant and refined. Soft delicate honey notes are entwined with vanilla spice, creamy caramel and cinnamon. Then suddenly? the growl of bonfire smoke, sea spray, cardamom and tar rope hits you. The beast is awake!

Taste - You can feel its immense power as it pours onto your palate like a violent thunderstorm. You need to brace yourself. Its ?natural strength? is untamed and ferocious. Yet, seconds later - this beastly peaty, fiery spirit is soon soothed by the warmth of your tongue. Almost immediately a calmness, a stillness pervades as seductive notes of moist banana cake, thick treacle, mocha with whispers of sweet pineapple , ginger and cumin finally come into play to give you an unforgettable aftertaste. Everyone has a little beast in them - this one more than most.

A lightly coloured young, extremely peaty whisky from an unnamed distillery somewhere in Scotland. It's got the rampant smoke you'd expect from a beastly named whisky as well as a pleasant, citrussy fresh fruitiness. The packaging is pretty striking too, with a scary monster and a (deliberately) singed label. Bottled at 46% and un-chillfiltered, just how we like 'em

46% ABV

This was a surprise when it was released in 2018 as the distillery was closed from 1993 onwards and finally dismantled in the early 2000s. It was matured in refill American oak hogsheads and bottled at a cask strength 52.1% and the result is a lively vibrant expression with pastry, green apples and coconuts at the fore. Always a pleasure to sample  malt from a ghost distillery knowing that nothing quite like it will ever be produced again.

The flavour of Islay untamed

No more than 60 casks will make up each batch. Each cask is selected for the notes it will bring to the whisky. Each batch will have a unique code and shows the cask breakdown which enables the recipient, each year, to contrast, compare and explore the different notes that the wood and blending brings to this Islay Scotch Whisky. #01-2023 uses the cask selection to create layers of sweetness, zest intertwined with the classic smoke of Islay.

TASTING NOTES

Bursts of zesty citrus and black pepper, evolving to toasted bread, marmalade, and smoke. On the palate, it?s fresh with salt, lime, and spices, while the finish lingers with spice, smoke, and toffee-like richness.

NON CHILL?FILTERED | NO ADDED COLOURING

Gentle, Floral and Untainted

Annual Release of an Aged Limited Edition.

In 2023 Port Askaig releases a 17 year old matured in traditional American oak casks, chosen for its quality and age, blended and bottled at 50.5% to capture the best taste experience. Approximately 9000 bottles will be available each year. Aged Islay whiskies are sought after for their taste, maturity, and limited nature.

TASTING NOTES

The nose offers a charcuterie board with melon, ham, and grapes, intertwined with bonfire smoke and citrus zest. On the palate, dense smoke and minerality unite raspberry leaf and chocolate, culminating in red fruits and a hint of medicinal smoke with a herbaceous finish.

NON CHILL?FILTERED | NO ADDED COLOURING

As the very limited mature stocks of whisky on Islay dwindle, we see fewer and fewer expressions of old whisky from the Island, which makes this 28 year old from Port Askaig that more special. Filled from a small number of refill ex-bourbon casks, the smoke and peat flavours are tamed and mellowed by time. It is both sweet with soft white fruit like lychee, and nutty with almond flakes. The peat offers a gentle medicinal smokiness, and on the palate there is an abundance of mouth-filling oils, carrying smoky, salty cured meats and contrasting citrus peel. A lengthy dry sweet & smoky finish carries a herbal tone and the unmistakable character of the Isle of Islay.

Where land meets Sea

This intriguing, gentle but definitively Islay whisky was created by the skilful blending of Single Malt Whisky that was been matured in a selection of Bourbon barrels, Toasted American Oak barrels, Sherry butts, refill Hogsheads and American Oak casks.

TASTING NOTES

Charcoal smoke, lemon oil and pine contrast with a rich palate of heather honey, grilled grapefruit, and sweet ginger snaps. Dark chocolate soften into melon and prosciutto with a warmth of chilli spice.

NON CHILL?FILTERED | NO ADDED COLOURING

This 16 year old sits in the middle of the Royal Brackla range which consists of a 12 year old and a 21 year old. This is a whisky with quite a bit of sherry influence, with some lovely rich fruit flavours, spice and zesty notes.

This warm mahogany whisky has an aroma of a depth complex fragrances from apples, vanilla, and ripe fruit and a whiff of orange zest on the nose and the palate is creamy with caramel, fruit, citrus, and a touch of dark chocolate. The finish is satisfyingly long.

The oldest of three Royal Brackla single malts launched in 2015. Distillation at Royal Brackla is slow, with plenty of reflux and this whisky is matured in Oloroso Sherry casks. The result is a rich whisky with notes of dark chocolate, anise and sweet summer berries.

A favourite of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, being conveniently situated close by Balmoral Castle. Royal Lochnagar was originally a key ingredient in VAT 69, but most production is now for single malts. Royal Lochnagar is found near the village of Crathie, very close to Balmoral, the Royal family's Scottish country residence.