Old Pulteney releases 50-year-old whisky for 200th anniversary

Old Pulteney is marking its 200th anniversary with the release of two exceptionally rare single malts, including the oldest whisky ever bottled by the historic Highland distillery.

The Wick-based producer has unveiled a 50-year-old and a 30-year-old single malt to celebrate two centuries of whisky-making on Scotland’s rugged northern coastline.

The limited-edition expressions have been created to showcase the maritime character synonymous with Old Pulteney since the distillery was founded in 1826.

The 50-year-old follows the brand’s previous oldest release, the one-of-a-kind 47-year-old Polaris, which sold for £62,500 at the Distillers One of One auction last year.

Founded in the fishing town of Wick in 1826, Old Pulteney has long drawn inspiration from its close relationship with the sea.

The distillery’s whiskies are often referred to as “The Maritime Malt”, reflecting the influence of coastal maturation on their character.

Leading the anniversary collection is the 50-year-old expression, the oldest whisky ever released by the distillery.

Just 200 bottles have been made available worldwide.

The whisky has been drawn from four hogshead casks that have spent half a century maturing in Old Pulteney’s coastal warehouses.

Predominantly matured in American oak, with a subtle influence from European oak, it has spent decades exposed to the salt-laden air and harsh conditions of the Caithness coast.

The result is a whisky that captures both the passage of time and the distinctive character of its maritime home.

Bottled at 40.8 per cent ABV, the whisky is said to deliver notes of candied orange peel, citrus oils and chocolate, alongside delicate oak influences and a lingering coastal finish.

Each bottle is housed within a hand-blown lead crystal decanter featuring intricate wave detailing, while a handcrafted oak display case inspired by driftwood surrounds the vessel.

The expression carries a recommended retail price of £20,000.

Alongside the flagship bottling, the distillery has also released a 30-year-old single malt created exclusively for its bicentenary celebrations.

Limited to 1,000 bottles worldwide, the release was matured in American oak before being refined in European oak casks.

Distillery manager Malcolm Waring personally filled the casks three decades ago, adding another layer of significance to the bottling.

The whisky is bottled at 50.4 per cent ABV and is presented in a crystal decanter featuring rose-gold detailing and maritime-inspired engraving.

It offers aromas of sugared almonds, orchard fruits and sweet oak, followed by flavours of citrus, pear, salted caramel and warming spice.

The 30-year-old release has a recommended retail price of £1,750.

Sarah Burgess, Old Pulteney’s master of whisky creation, said the anniversary releases were designed to capture the essence of the distillery’s heritage and coastal location.

“As we approached Old Pulteney’s milestone 200th anniversary, we felt a deep responsibility to create whiskies which truly encapsulate everything that Old Pulteney represents,” she said.

“50 Years Old and 30 Years Old stand apart as exceptional tributes to two centuries of distilling shaped by exposure to the elements on Scotland’s northern coast.”

As the distillery enters its third century of production, the anniversary bottlings are intended not only as a celebration of its history but also as a statement of its ambitions for the future.

Both expressions will be available through selected specialist retailers from June 2026.