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Old Pulteney Polaris 47 Year Old 1978 (1 Bottle 1.5L + 1 Sample 10cl)

No reserve

Auction Closed

October 10, 04:15 PM GMT

Estimate

26,000 - 40,000 GBP

Lot Details

Description

Old Pulteney Polaris 47 Year Old 1978


  • Polaris, Old Pulteney’s oldest release to date, is a rare 47 year old whisky, inspired, crafted, distilled and shaped by the Caithness coastline from the ‘Maritime Malt’.


  • Distilled in 1978, this luxurious single malt rested for four decades in American oak ex-bourbon casks before an extended period of refinement in a single first-fill Spanish oak butt and finally bottling at 43.6% abv.


  • The whisky is housed within a hand-blown, 1.5L deep blue glass bottle, designed and crafted by Glasstorm.


  • The bottle is then encased within a Caithness slate structure from Norse Stone, symbolising the enduring cliffs that guard the distillery.


  • Silver and copper detailing by local jeweller Lucy Woodley completes this striking tribute to place and provenance.


  • The lot includes a 10cl sample for the winning bidder.


Tasting Notes:

by Jonny McCormick


Rich amber with burnished gold highlights. The first wave of aromas breaks from the glass to invigorate the senses with sea spray, molasses cake, nutmeg, leather, oak char, and cacao. Like plunging your nose deep inside the cask, notes of ozone, vanilla pod, resinous oak, Brazil nut, and espresso foam emerge, backed with hints of baked apple, barmbrack, and peppermint. It’s a perfect fusion of the elements, bringing together the heart of the ocean with a heart of oak. With hallmarks of great maturity, such surefooted and memorable olfactory pleasures cannot be rushed.  


This dram dances on the tongue, silky smooth and fine-textured, a melange of Scottish tablet, soft oak, and vibrant, tangy citrus peel, teasing the taste buds with little bursts of fruit that ebb and flow amid a rolling tide of ocean-lashed oak. Roasted citrus notes evolve, anchored by a firm minerality that enriches the flavour, plotting a course between grilled pineapple, cherry and almond cake, and a hint of gingersnap, before gliding into a deep pool of dark chocolate, coffee, supple oak, and chopped nuts, and sinking into a satisfying finish of clotted cream, white chocolate, and nutmeg. 


1 bottle 1.5 litre + 1 sample 10cl (presentation case)


Conditions:


Lying with the donor. Duty Paid.


Please note the purchase price does not include applicable shipping, taxes or import charges which may be charged in addition to the purchase price.


For VAT queries, please contact: Chloe.Kong@sothebys.com


Should you wish to ship, store or bottle your purchases, arrangements will be made directly with the Donor of this lot. Sotheby's will provide an introduction between the relevant buyer and donor in order for this to be arranged.


Please note that for Wine and Spirits Lots, the Buyer’s Premium rate is 24% of the Hammer Price and the Overhead Premium rate is 1% of the Hammer Price. The Buyer’s Premium and Overhead Premium are subject to any applicable VAT/GST and/or sales or use tax. Please refer to the Conditions of Business for further details.