Signatory Vintage, Old Pulteney 2008 12YO (700ml)
Signatory Vintage,
Old Pulteney 2008 (12 Year Old)
55.8% ABV
Cask Number(s): 15
Date of Distilling: 27/05/2008
Date of Bottling: 16/04/2021
Matured In: a Refill Bourbon Barrel then Finished in a Fresh Sherry Butt for 33 months
This single malt whisky was distilled in 2008 at the Pulteney Distillery before being placed in refill Bourbon barrels. It was then finished in a fresh Sherry Butt for 33 months. It was bottled in 2021 at 55.8% ABV as part of the Signatory Vintage Cask Strength Collection.
Founded in 1826 by James Henderson at the height of Wick’s celebrated herring boom, the Pulteney Distillery is one of the most northerly on the British mainland. At a time when road links to the town were yet to be established, the distillery was dependent on the sea for its supply of barley and for the shipping out of its malt whisky. Wick became known for the barrels of silver (herring) and gold (whisky) which left the port in vast numbers. The distillery itself has an absorbing history, with its unique stills defying convention to this day. The wash still, in particular, is a source of fascination to visitors due to the absence of a ‘swan neck’. Legend has it that when the still was delivered it was too tall for the still house and the manager simply decided to cut the top off! The Old Pulteney bottle now incorporates a bulbous neck to reflect the shape of the stills.
Tasting Notes
Nose: This one smells like Christmas, buttery puff pastry, roasted chestnuts, sweet honey and cinnamon.
Palate: Dried orchard fruits combine with baking spices and salted caramel.
Finish: Toasted nuts, buttery and more baking spices.
Signatory Vintage are an independent bottler founded in 1988 by Andrew and Brian Symington. The name ‘Signatory’ was derived from the initial intention to find a person of suitable standing to sign the labels for bottles drawn from a single cask. The first cask bottled was a 1968 Glenlivet which quickly sold through long before any suitable signee could be found.
Signatory currently bottle at three strengths: 43%, 46% Unchillfiltered (UCF) and Cask Strength.To add proof of authenticity to their cask strength bottlings, Signatory always include the cask numbers, date of distillation, date of bottling and number of bottles produced.Signatory Vintage’s aim is to offer as wide a range of whiskies as possible, some of which are not even bottled by the proprietary distillery. This allows malt enthusiast to sample the huge variety of subtle differences which occur between casks.
Founded in 1826 by James Henderson at the height of Wick’s celebrated herring boom, the Pulteney Distillery is one of the most northerly on the British mainland. At a time when road links to the town were yet to be established, the distillery was dependent on the sea for its supply of barley and for the shipping out of its malt whisky. Wick became known for the barrels of silver (herring) and gold (whisky) which left the port in vast numbers. The distillery itself has an absorbing history, with its unique stills defying convention to this day. The wash still, in particular, is a source of fascination to visitors due to the absence of a ‘swan neck’. Legend has it that when the still was delivered it was too tall for the still house and the manager simply decided to cut the top off! The Old Pulteney bottle now incorporates a bulbous neck to reflect the shape of the stills.