The Pulteney distillery, located way up at the northern end of the mainland part of Scotland, is an understated operation that, for those in the know, turns out some amazing Scotch. Its 21-year-old, for example, was once named the whisky of the year globally by regarded whisky writer Jim Murray in his Whisky Bible. Following on the heels of this is word of a new 35-year-old expression that is likely to be another cult hit.

The limited edition Old Pulteney 35 Year Old, according to the distillery, will retail for around $850 per bottle. Only 450 cases of the single malt will be available globally of a whisky that was quietly aged in American ex-bourbon and Spanish ex-sherry casks selected by the distillery manager Malcolm Waring.

As with other bottlings which reflect the maritime heritage of the town Pulteney calls home, the packaging of the 35 Year Old showcases the history of the area. This includes a wooden box holding the bottle with a porthole revealing the interior contents.

The Old Pulteney 35 Year Old whisky (image via Old Pulteney)

Tasting notes for this 42% ABV release that is non-chill filtered are as follows per the distillery:

On the palate this full bodied expression is sweet and spicy to start then quickly develops a range of signature Old Pulteney flavours from honey, rum soaked raisins and oranges to the heavier notes of seasoned leather, pralines and a touch of the salty North Sea air. A truly indulgent, perfectly balanced whisky, it has a long slow finish and is light amber in colour. 

Besides the 35- and 21-year-old releases, other old timers in the distillery’s line up include 30- and 40-year-old whiskies.