Pulteney – 18 Year Old Single Malt, Blind Summit (51.8%)

This is an 18 year old single malt from Pulteney, the distillery in Wick, bottled by the Edinburgh independent bottler Blind Summit at 51.8% ABV. The whisky spent its eighteen years in a single refill bourbon hogshead, which yielded 230 bottles. It is bottled at natural cask strength, without chill filtration or added colour, and the label carries artwork by Adam James Blair. The nose opens with oyster shell and sea spray, then wild honey, sponge cake, preserved pears and butterscotch. On the palate, honey comes in several forms alongside yellow fruit, vanilla and Werther's Originals. The finish is long, fading on salted honey and gentle fruit.