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| comment | | "parent_author":"",<br>"parent_permlink":"whisky",<br>"author":"steemswede",<br>"permlink":"whisky-tasting-a-maritime-masterpiece-from-the-rugged-north",<br>"title":"[WHISKY TASTING A Maritime Masterpiece From The Rugged North \ud83d\udca7",<br>"body":"<html>\n<p>Almost at the top of the north-eastern part of the Scottish Highlands lies the small windswept town of Wick,<br> just where the river with the same name flows into the sea. Despite the exposed location,<br> the Gulf Stream brings warm water from the south and gives an even climate without too harsh winters. The name Wick comes from a Norse word,<br> <em>v\u00edk<\/em>,<br> meaning bay. Norwegian Vikings ruled over the Northern parts of Scotland for about 170 years,<br> until the Treaty of Perth in 1266,<br> which is reflected in the many Norse sounding geographical names.<\/p>\n<p><img src=\"https:\/\/i.imgsafe.org\/c15153b887.jpg\" width=\"814\" height=\"610\"\/><\/p>\n<p>In the early 1800s Wick had grown to become a center for herring trade,<br> and the boom attracted more and more people. One of those who saw new possibilities was Sir William Johnstone Pulteney,<br> who decided to build a new town named Pulteneytown on the undeveloped opposite side of the river. The population swiftly grew from 4000 to 11000,<br> and over 1000 fishing boats crowded the waters between the two towns.<\/p>\n<p>The growth also resulted in a growing demand for whisky. This led to that the local brewer and miller,<br> John Henderson,<br> to build a whisky distillery on the Pultney side in 1826 named Old Pulteney Distillery,<br> making it the northernmost distillery on the Scottish mainland (Highland Park on Orkney is still the northernmost). Given that most fishermen consumed around half a liter of whiskey a day,<br> it wasn't a bad idea. During the boom it around 2200 liters per day were consumed. The business flourished and when the two towns in 1902 became one single town,<br> Wick,<br> the distillery kept the established name Old Pulteney. I was driving in the are a few years ago,<br> but never actually got the chance to visit the distillery. Regrettable as it might be,<br> it's yet another reason to revisit Scotland. The surroundings are truly magnificent,<br> with it's rugged and rocky coastline interrupted by wide and desolate beaches. <\/p>\n<p><img src=\"https:\/\/i.imgsafe.org\/c151570933.jpg\" width=\"814\" height=\"544\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The heavy drinking among the fishermen eventually led to a ban and the business was down from 1926 until 1950 when it was reopened. Five years later,<br> Hiram Walker bought the distillery and implemented major changes; among other things they stopped to produce their own malt. Since then,<br> the distillery has had a number of owners: Allied Breweries,<br> Inver House and now Pacific Spirits.<\/p>\n<p>With only two stills,<br> the capacity is very small compared to most Scottish distilleries today: around 1.8 million liters per year. Moreover,<br> around 50% of what is produced is sold to the blending industry. The standard range consists of a 12,<br> 17,<br> 21 and 23-year-old,<br> as well a 30,<br> 35 and 40-year-old that has been released in limited editions. Today they also produce a few No Age Statement whiskies with maritime sounding names,<br> such as Navigator.<\/p>\n<p><img src=\"https:\/\/i.imgsafe.org\/c1519de369.jpg\" width=\"814\" height=\"542\"\/><\/p>\n<p><img src=\"https:\/\/i.imgsafe.org\/c151c6d319.jpg\" width=\"814\" height=\"407\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The 17-year-old is matured 90 percent of the time on bourbon casks,<br> and the remaining 10 percent on sherry casks. The 21-year-old has rested two-thirds of the time reused bourbon and sherry casks. Moreover,<br> mostly Oloroso and PX sherry casks from European oak has been used for the 17-year-old,<br> whereas instead far more dry and sharp Fino sherry casks of American oak has been used for the 21-year-old. Jim Murray,<br> considered by many as one of the world's premier whisky connoisseurs,<br> annually publishes his book \"The Whisky Bible\" which appoints the world's best whisky. In 2012 he handed Old Pulteney 21 this highly regarded award.<\/p>\n<h3>Old Pulteney 21 yo<\/h3>\n<p>I've been wanting to try this one for a long time,<br> as I've been enchanted by the 12 and 17-year-old versions many times. Luckily my parents were kind enough to give me a bottle for my birthday yesterday.<\/p>\n<p><img src=\"https:\/\/i.imgsafe.org\/c1518dfec0.jpg\" width=\"814\" height=\"701\"\/><\/p>\n<p><strong>ABV<\/strong>: 46%<br>\n<strong>Age<\/strong>: 21 yo<br>\n<strong>Region<\/strong>: Highland<br>\n<strong>Price<\/strong>: ~140 USD \/ 0.7L<br>\nNon chill-filtered<\/p>\n<p><strong>Appearance<\/strong>: Pale gold.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Nose:<\/strong> I experience rather spicy with ginger and a herbaceous note of mint. Think a non-smoky Ardbeg. After some airing plenty of sweet vanilla,<br> and with a few drops of water it becomes more fruity and floral. The fruitiness is on the citrus side,<br> probably lemon. The more I air it the more it explodes of scents. Seaweed and other maritime scents mingle with heavy oak notes and cinnamon and honey. Behind it all there is a tiny mist of peatiness. A brilliant nose on this one,<br> perhaps the best I've had all year.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Palate:<\/strong> The ginger and the herbaceous note of mint follows from the nose,<br> together with lemon peel and oysters. It's a quite harsh and demanding whisky in the mouth,<br> again like an Islay whisky without smokiness. The harshness is balanced by a wonderful saltiness,<br> that like in many other coastal whiskies (such as the Islay whiskies),<br> comes from the salty sea winds. Everything is affected by it; the barley,<br> the peat bogs,<br> the water,<br> the casks... Caramel,<br> vanilla and honey stands for the sweetness. But I also find hints of pineapple,<br> apple juice and pears. Extremely dry mouth feel. I dig this,<br> a lot.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Finish:<\/strong> Long,<br> dry,<br> salty and phenolic.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Conclusion:<\/strong> I'm in love. This is nothing short of a maritime masterpiece that brings me back to the rugged northern Scotland. Probably the most complex whisky of the year for me. I love that it's so harsh and demanding and fights back in my mouth. If you're a beginner,<br> start with the much sweeter 12 or 17-year-old. A tough love affair that I can't reward with a lower score than 98\/100.<\/p>\n<h3>If you have any whisky related questions don't be afraid of asking! I'll do my best to answer them. Cheers,<br> or as they say in Scotland: Sl\u00e1inte!<\/h3>\n<h3><img src=\"https:\/\/img1.steemit.com\/0x0\/https:\/\/i.imgsafe.org\/3fb6279c8a.png\" width=\"36\" height=\"35\"\/> @SteemSwede<\/h3>\n<p><br><\/p>\n<h3>You can find my other whisky reviews here:<br>\n <br>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/steemit.com\/whisky\/@steemswede\/whisky-tasting-glenfiddich-style-icon-and-1-malt-whisky-in-the-world\">Glenfiddich 12<\/a><br>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/steemit.com\/whisky\/@steemswede\/whisky-tasting-world-whiskies-awards-winner-2015-no-true-scotsman\">Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique,<br> 2016<\/a><br>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/steemit.com\/whisky\/@steemswede\/whisky-tasting-caol-ila-12-yo-still-one-of-the-best-bang-for-the-buck-whiskies-around\">Caol Ila 12 yo<\/a><br>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/steemit.com\/whisky\/@steemswede\/whisky-tasting-the-rare-treat-of-a-26-year-old-whisky\">Linkwood 26 yo<\/a><br>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/steemit.com\/whisky\/@steemswede\/whisky-tasting-glenfarclas-105-a-rowdy-beast-to-be-tamed-but-not-by-a-novice\">Glenfarclas 105<\/a><br>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/steemit.com\/whisky\/@steemswede\/whisky-tasting-golden-french-nectar-from-the-northern-highlands\">Glenmorangie Nectar D'Or<\/a><br>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/steemit.com\/whisky\/@steemswede\/whisky-tasting-everyday-luxury-from-the-legendary-glenlivet-distillery\">Glenlivet 18 yo<\/a><br>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/steemit.com\/whisky\/@steemswede\/whisky-tasting-stunning-balance-from-the-rugged-isle-of-skye\">Talisker 18 yo<\/a><br>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/steemit.com\/whisky\/@steemswede\/whisky-review-ancnoc-rascan-anyone-for-smoked-fruit-compot\">anCnoc Rascan<\/a><br>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/steemit.com\/whisky\/@steemswede\/whisky-review-cheers-to-my-600-followers\">Glenfarclas 17 yo<\/a><br>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/steemit.com\/whisky\/@steemswede\/whisky-review-black-art-or-black-tart\">Bruichladdich Black Art 4.1<\/a><br>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/steemit.com\/whisky\/@steemswede\/whisky-review-a-tale-of-two-octomore-s\">Octomore 5.1 & 6.2<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/html>",<br>"json_metadata":" \"tags\":[\"whisky\",<br>\"life\",<br>\"food\",<br>\"travel\" ,<br>\"users\":[\"steemswede\" ,<br>\"image\":[\"https:\/\/i.imgsafe.org\/c15153b887.jpg\",<br>\"https:\/\/i.imgsafe.org\/c151570933.jpg\",<br>\"https:\/\/i.imgsafe.org\/c1519de369.jpg\",<br>\"https:\/\/i.imgsafe.org\/c151c6d319.jpg\",<br>\"https:\/\/i.imgsafe.org\/c1518dfec0.jpg\",<br>\"https:\/\/img1.steemit.com\/0x0\/https:\/\/i.imgsafe.org\/3fb6279c8a.png\" ,<br>\"links\":[\"https:\/\/steemit.com\/whisky\/@steemswede\/whisky-tasting-glenfiddich-style-icon-and-1-malt-whisky-in-the-world\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemit.com\/whisky\/@steemswede\/whisky-tasting-world-whiskies-awards-winner-2015-no-true-scotsman\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemit.com\/whisky\/@steemswede\/whisky-tasting-caol-ila-12-yo-still-one-of-the-best-bang-for-the-buck-whiskies-around\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemit.com\/whisky\/@steemswede\/whisky-tasting-the-rare-treat-of-a-26-year-old-whisky\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemit.com\/whisky\/@steemswede\/whisky-tasting-glenfarclas-105-a-rowdy-beast-to-be-tamed-but-not-by-a-novice\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemit.com\/whisky\/@steemswede\/whisky-tasting-golden-french-nectar-from-the-northern-highlands\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemit.com\/whisky\/@steemswede\/whisky-tasting-everyday-luxury-from-the-legendary-glenlivet-distillery\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemit.com\/whisky\/@steemswede\/whisky-tasting-stunning-balance-from-the-rugged-isle-of-skye\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemit.com\/whisky\/@steemswede\/whisky-review-ancnoc-rascan-anyone-for-smoked-fruit-compot\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemit.com\/whisky\/@steemswede\/whisky-review-cheers-to-my-600-followers\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemit.com\/whisky\/@steemswede\/whisky-review-black-art-or-black-tart\",<br>\"https:\/\/steemit.com\/whisky\/@steemswede\/whisky-review-a-tale-of-two-octomore-s\" ,<br>\"app\":\"steemit\/0.1\",<br>\"format\":\"html\" " | | vote | "voter":"steemswede",
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