By Andy Young
Old Pulteney 1989 Vintage has been named as the world’s best single malt at the World Whiskies Awards.
Organised by Whisky Magazine the World Whiskies Awards had a record number of entries this year, but it was the 1989 expression from the most northerly distillery on the Scottish mainland, which won through.
Released in September last year the peated Old Pulteney 1989 has a smoky character which comes from being aged in American oak, ex-bourbon barrels, which have previously contained heavily peated malt whisky.
Old Pulteney senior brand manager Margaret Mary Clarke said: “This is a wonderful win for everyone at Pulteney Distillery and we couldn’t be more proud to have our 1989 Vintage recognised as the world’s best single malt.
"When we released the whisky last year it was a real hit with whisky enthusiasts and Old Pulteney devotees, who already recognise the quality and character of our full range of fine single malts.
[This] award is another great testament to the dedicated Distillery team up in Wick whose passion and skill for creating incredible malt whiskies continue to be recognised around the world.”
Managing editor of Whisky Magazine, Rupert Wheeler added: “This year has seen a record number of entries into our World Whiskies Awards and the Icons of Whisky continue to grow with the addition of new categories."
Old Pulteney 1989 Vintage is natural in colour, non-chill filtered and bottled at 46 per cent. On the palate it is described as being "peaty to start, with a heavy, spicy underpinning and notes of vanilla, coconut and oranges giving this indulgent single malt a long-lasting finish".
Old Pulteney is distributed in Australia by island2island, and the company is hopeful of having some bottles of the award-winning 1989 Vintage whisky available here soon.
Allan Shearer, CEO of island2island, said: "This is another sensational accolade for this wonderful multi award winning malt whisky. Old Pulteney has such a great heritage, the 21-year-old won World’s Best Whisky in 2012 and we feel very privileged to represent and distribute this wonderful brand in Australia. Australian whisky lovers are beginning to understand just how good Old Pulteney is and we’re seeing demand for the brand grow stronger every year.”