Old Pulteney, known as “The Maritime Malt,” has launched a new range of whiskies in the U.S.: The Coastal Series.
This collection includes four limited-edition expressions. Old Pulteney collaborated with spirit producers from coastal locations across the globe, aging the Scotch in a variety of casks.
For the first of these releases, Old Pulteney matured its whisky in ex-Pineau des Charentes wine casks, incorporating the flavor of the French coastline. Notes of the sweet apéritif, which originates from the Charente-Maritime region on France’s southwest coast, have been blended with the northern flavors for which Old Pulteney single malt is known. The result is the inaugural expression in The Coastal Series, Old Pulteney Pineau des Charentes.
Old Pulteney is a whisky shaped by its coastal home in Wick on the northern reaches of the Caithness Coast in rural Scotland, the company says. This helps lend a briny flavor to the whisky.
This new expression began its maturation in ex-bourbon casks, before further maturation in ex-Pineau des Charentes French oak casks, chosen by Stuart Harvey, Master Blender.
On the palate is candied oranges, warm spices and creamy vanilla, the company reports. The finish has hints of caramelized hazelnuts and ground spices. The flavor profile broadens in sweetness before tapering off to a coastal minerality.
“Old Pulteney’s past, present and taste are influenced by its home by the sea on the Caithness Coast,” says Malcolm Waring, Distillery Manager at Old Pulteney. “The Coastal Series beautifully explores cask maturations that highlight wonderful expressions influenced by their global coastal homes.”
“Our Pineau des Charentes expression is a beautifully light, fruity single malt that showcases both the flavors of our wonderfully matured spirit, but balanced with the rich sweetness of the Pineau des Charentes, resultingin a truly exquisite expression,” he adds.
Packaged in a gold gilt box meant to mirror the color of sand, and adorned with an illustration of the French coastline, Old Pulteney Pineau des Charentes has a suggested retail price of $79.99 per 750-ml. bottle.
It will be available later this summer in markets across the U.S.
