🥃 Old Pulteney 12 Year Old
Core version of Old Pulteney: a single malt Scotch whisky from the Pulteney distillery in Wick; at least 12 years, mostly refill American oak casks; 40% ABV.
Old Pulteney 12 Year Old is the core version of the Old Pulteney brand, a single malt Scotch whisky from the Pulteney distillery in the town of Wick. The youngest whisky in the bottle is at least 12 years old, and the strength is 40% ABV. Difford's Guide notes that this is the northernmost distillery on the Scottish mainland.
According to Scotchwhisky.com, the whisky matures mostly in refill American oak casks. When the brand renewed its permanent range in 2018, the 12-year-old remained the main and most affordable version, while the 17- and 21-year-old were withdrawn in 2017 due to a shortage of stock. By law, this is a Highland single malt: one distillery, malted barley, copper stills, and at least three years in oak.
Why it matters to you. This is the lightest version of the brand. Old Pulteney 15 Year Old and Old Pulteney 18 Year Old are bottled at 46% ABV, and they also matured in ex-oloroso casks. For comparison, Balblair 12 Year Old from the same owner is a useful reference. WHO reminds us that no level of alcohol consumption is safe for health.
Facts
| Alcohol (% vol.) | 40% ABV |
|---|---|
| Cask type | mostly refill American oak (according to Scotchwhisky.com) |
| Minimum maturation | 12 years is the age of the youngest whisky |
| Raw material | malted barley |
| Legal basis | Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890) (Single Malt Scotch Whisky; Highland) |
| EU category | 2 — whisky (whisky/whiskey) |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Old Pulteney 12 Year Old → kind of → 🥃 Whisky → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Packed in
- 🍷 Oak barrel
- Made from
- 🥃 Barley and malt in whisky
- What it contains
- 🍷 Ethanol
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Part of
- 🥃 Old Pulteney, 🥃 Whisky, 🥃 Scotch Whisky, 🥃 Single Malt Scotch Whisky
- Related to
- 🥃 Highland whisky
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Balblair 12 Year Old, 🥃 Old Pulteney 15 Year Old, 🥃 Old Pulteney 15 Year Old, 🥃 Old Pulteney 18 Year Old, 🥃 Old Pulteney 18 Year Old
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that all the whisky in Old Pulteney 12 is exactly 12 years old?
No. 12 years is the age of the youngest whisky in the bottle; some of it may be older.
What is the strength of Old Pulteney 12 Year Old?
40% ABV, according to Difford's Guide and Scotchwhisky.com.
What casks does Old Pulteney 12 mature in?
According to Scotchwhisky.com, mostly in refill American oak casks.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Ethanol — The alcohol formed during fermentation that makes you drunk.
- 🍷 Oak barrel — A wooden barrel of oak staves in which wine matures and breathes.
- 🥃 Highland whisky — Protected region of Scotch whisky north of the legal Highland–Lowland boundary; the SWA’s 2024 map shows 55 distilleries here.
- 🍷 Drunk driving — Never drive after drinking wine: alcohol slows your reactions.
Similar
🥃 Old Pulteney 15 Year Old · 🥃 Old Pulteney 18 Year Old · 🥃 The Glenturret 15 Year Old · 🥃 The Glenturret 12 Year Old · 🥃 The Glenturret 7 Year Old Peat Smoked · 🥃 The Glenturret 10 Year Old Peat Smoked
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- Scotchwhisky.com: Old Pulteney unveils its new core range (2018; 12 YO 40 %, mostly refill American oak; 15 and 18 YO 46 %, second-fill American oak ex-bourbon, then first-fill Spanish oak ex-oloroso butts; 17 and 21 YO withdrawn 2017)
- Difford's Guide: Old Pulteney 12 Year Old (40 %; Highland single malt from the most northerly distillery on the Scottish mainland)
- The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890), reg. 3: definition and categories of Scotch Whisky (Scotland, oak up to 700 l, min. 3 years, min. 40 % ABV)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)