Old Pulteney, one of the Founder donors to the Distillers One of One auction, is breaking architectural boundaries as well as liquid ones with its submission to the 2023 auction.
Its lot, named Bow Wave, is a unique art piece containing a 45-year-old single malt whisky – the oldest expression from the Highland distillery to date.
Created by Glasstorm, the hand-blown blue-glass vessel has been designed to represent the movement of a ship through the sea, with intricate Inciso cuts in its surface to mimic swelling waves. The bottle is surrounded by a delicate silver casing, created by Scottish silversmith Lucy Woodley, and is presented on a piece of Caithness slate.
The whisky inside was matured in American oak casks for four decades before a five-year finishing in a single first-fill Spanish oak butt. Scotch whisky expert and writer Dave Broom said the expression was "refined, clearly mature, yet still fresh", with hints of dried pineapple, scented sandalwood, and oxidised nutty notes on the nose and a silky palate with bursts of bright fruit, minerality, and emerging supple tannins.
Brodie Nairn and Nichola Burns, designers at Glasstorm, said: “This whisky is the jewel in Old Pulteney's collection, and we wanted this piece to celebrate not only their oldest ever whisky, but the character and personality of the Maritime Malt itself. Coupled with our personal fondness of the Caithness Coast, we were dedicated to deliver the best craftsmanship and create a work of art worthy of the liquid gold inside.”
Malcolm Waring, distillery manager at Old Pulteney, added: “After maturing for more than four decades, this one-of-a-kind single malt, as the oldest in our history, is testament to the enduring spirit, patience and pride of Old Pulteney’s award-winning distillery.”
