For two centuries, on the weather-beaten coast where the North Sea meets the Scottish Highlands, Old Pulteney has distilled its single malt Scotch whisky shaped by the elements. In 2026, the distillery celebrates its 200th anniversary with two extraordinary releases sculpted by salt-laden winds, time, and an unwavering commitment to industrial craftsmanship that have converged to create The Maritime Malt since 1826.
To mark this milestone moment, Old Pulteney has unveiled Old Pulteney 50 Years Old and Old Pulteney 30 Years Old. These two exceptionally rare whiskies are the result of decades of patience, meticulous cask selection and the influence of Old Pulteney’s remote coastal home of Wick.
Old Pulteney 50 Years Old: The Distillery’s Oldest Ever Release
As the oldest whisky ever released by the distillery, Old Pulteney 50 Years Old represents the pinnacle of the enduring character that has defined the last two centuries of Old Pulteney.
This 50 Years Old whisky brings together four casks, capturing their own lifetime of maturation exposed to the harsh conditions of Scotland’s far northern coast. Four hogsheads – each carrying the weight of 50 years – combine to celebrate 200 years of distilling in Wick; a fitting masterpiece that reflects the unwavering endurance of this iconic coastal distillery. This extraordinary whisky has been predominantly matured in American oak, chosen for its ability to allow Old Pulteney’s coastal character and the influence of time to shine through. A subtle seasoning of European oak adds a gentle richness and depth to this exceptional single malt.
Patiently stewarded over five decades and hand-selected by Old Pulteney’s Master of Whisky Creation, Sarah Burgess, each cask offers only a whisper of its contents, captured in just 200 bottles. As a definitive expression of time, place and generations of craftsmanship, this is a whisky of profound rarity.
This complex single malt is housed within a handcrafted outer casing of premium oak reminiscent of driftwood, where the satin-smooth grain invites touch. The rare whisky sits within an elegant, hand-blown lead crystal decanter, making every bottle ever so unique. Intricate sand-etched waves ripple around the base of each decanter, a tribute to the maritime forces that shape this single malt and a reflection of the care behind the remarkable whisky inside. A sculptural, curved display creates an enveloping form around the decanter, cradling it gracefully as it rests on a gold base that elevates the design.
Radiant gold in appearance, shimmering with depth and maturity, this single malt opens on the nose with rich layers of chocolate with sweet, dried fruits and spiced cedar which unfold into creamy vanilla and floral undertones, underpinned by a faint wisp of coastal smoke to complete the aromatic journey. Upon first sip, the whisky begins with notes of candied orange peel and citrus oil, deepening into delicate oak and a luxurious chocolate mouthfeel. The finish is long, resolving on tropical fruit and maritime finesse.
Bottled at 40.8% ABV and limited to just 200 bottles globally, Old Pulteney 50 Years Old (70cl) stands as a singular expression of time, place and patient stewardship – a whisky that can never be replicated.
Old Pulteney 30 Years Old: A Rare Expression of Maritime Craft
Old Pulteney 30 Years Old is the second exceptional whisky created exclusively to honour Old Pulteney’s 200th anniversary, perfectly encapsulating Old Pulteney’s character that has run deep for 200 years. Shaped over three decades, this single malt has harnessed the relentless conditions of the Caithness coast and celebrated those who honour true industrial craftsmanship.
This limited-edition whisky is elegantly presented within a clear, crystal decanter. The bottle retains Old Pulteney’s distinctive bottle neck as a nod to the iconic flat-top still from which this single malt was born while delicate rose gold detailing adds further depth to the intricate design. At its base, an intricate sand-etching of ocean waves pays homage to the maritime forces that have shaped every drop of this whisky.
The decanter is housed within a bespoke outer casing inspired by weathered driftwood which lifts away to reveal the rare liquid inside. Balancing refinement with rugged beauty, this striking showpiece is a celebration of everything that makes Old Pulteney amongst the most enduring of single malts.
Adding to its rarity, Distillery Manager, Malcolm Waring, personally hand-filled the casks in which this single malt spent three decades developing its unmistakable coastal character. Matured in American oak casks, refined in European oak casks and shaped by decades of exposure to the elemental forces of the northern Scottish coast, this balanced single malt is a true expression of Old Pulteney’s resilient and authentic maritime soul.
Old Pulteney 30 Years Old reveals a deep, burnished copper hue; a visual prelude to its complexity. On the nose, aromas of sugared almonds and sweet oak are layered with pear, green apple, toffee, and a hint of citrus. Subtle floral notes are lifted by a gentle maritime breeze. On the palate, bright citrus and crisp pear give way to salted caramel, baked apple, and warming spices, intertwined with polished oak. The finish is long, revealing a refined balance of sweet and salty with a lasting impression of coastal elegance.
Bottled at 50.4% ABV, Old Pulteney 30 Years Old (70cl) and is limited to just 1,000 bottles globally.
As Old Pulteney steps into its third century, these two extraordinary whiskies are not just a tribute to the distillery’s past but also signal a confident new chapter for The Maritime Malt.
Speaking on the two releases, Sarah Burgess, Master of Whisky Creation at Old Pulteney commented: “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.
“Casks of whisky are like people, each evolving differently over the years, similar to time periods in our lives. The team and I wanted to create whiskies that honour different moments in Old Pulteney’s history in a way that reflects everything that our distillery and its unique location represent. 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.
“These single malts mark a defining moment in Old Pulteney’s journey, honouring our legacy while signalling a new era as we look ahead to the next 200 years. Not just a celebration of heritage, they are a promise that we will continue to honour time, provenance and craftsmanship in every drop.”
Old Pulteney 50 Years Old, with a recommended retail price of £20,000, and Old Pulteney 30 Years Old, at £1,750, offer collectors and enthusiasts a rare opportunity to own a tangible piece of this iconic distillery’s 200-year legacy. Both expressions will be available from select partners from June 2026. You can register your interest via Old Pulteney’s website here
A conversation with Malcolm Waring, Distillery Manager at Pulteney Distillery
The Luxury Report caught up with Malcolm to learn more about the role of Distillery Manager and to get the inside track within the iconic distillery’s legacy.
Old Pulteney is known as “The Maritime Malt”. Talk about the influence the sea – and your position on Scotland’s north-east coast – has on the character of the whisky.
This year marks 200 years of Old Pulteney. Tell us about the two rare whiskies being unveiled to celebrate the anniversary – and what makes them such special releases.
To mark Old Pulteney’s 200th anniversary, we have created two whiskies which stand as some of the most extraordinary releases from our distillery to date.
Old Pulteney 50 Years Old is the oldest whisky we have ever released in our distillery’s history. This exceptionally rare single malt has been created from four hogsheads, each carrying the weight of half a century. Together, they represent 200 years of craftsmanship and enduring character, captured in just 200 bottles.
Alongside this special release, we have also launched Old Pulteney 30 Years Old with only 1,000 bottles available worldwide. Shaped over three decades, this single malt whisky is a true representation of the relentless conditions of the Caithness coast. This whisky is particularly special to myself as I personally hand-filled the casks in which the whisky spent three decades developing its unmistakable coastal character.
These two extraordinary single malts not only honour our past and where we’ve come from, but also mark a defining moment for Old Pulteney as we look ahead to the next 200 years.
And what about in flavour? What are some of the standout notes in these whiskies, and where do those characteristics come from?
Both whiskies are shaped by time, meticulous cask selection and the maritime elements that surround our home in Wick.
Old Pulteney 50 Years Old has been predominantly matured in American oak to allow Old Pulteney’s unmistakable coastal character to shine through, while a subtle seasoning of European oak adds a gentle richness and depth. On the nose, notes of chocolate, dried fruits and creamy vanilla are underpinned by a light coastal smoke. On the palate, it opens with candied orange peel and bright citrus balanced by delicate oak and a lasting finish with a distinctive maritime salinity.
Old Pulteney 30 Years Old has been initially matured in American oak casks before being refined in European oak casks. Aromas of sugared almonds, pear and soft toffee lead into notes of salted caramel, baked apple and warming spice on the palate. The whisky offers a balanced finish with an interplay of sweetness and saltiness, with a coastal elegance elegance.
When creating anniversary whiskies like these, how important is it to capture the identity of the distillery in a single bottle?
It’s absolutely essential that the whisky we create embodies the character of our coastal distillery. Every whisky we create is unmistakably Old Pulteney, no matter its age or rarity.
Anniversary releases like these carry an added responsibility. The coastal influence, the balance of sweetness and salinity, the sense of place – all of that has to come through in every drop. At the same time, these older expressions offer a new perspective on the distillery’s character. With the 50 and 30 Years Old, you’re experiencing Old Pulteney in its most evolved form—where time has added layers of complexity, while still staying true to the coastal character that The Maritime Malt is renowned for.
Old Pulteney has now been producing whisky for two centuries. How do you balance preserving tradition with continuing to evolve as a distillery?
At Old Pulteney, we continue to adopt a hands-on approach to whisky making. We are a traditional distillery and much of what we do today reflects the methods that have defined our distillery for generations.
Our 200th anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate the resilience, craftsmanship and our unbreakable connection to the sea that have defined us for two centuries while also marking a defining new chapter for Old Pulteney. Old Pulteney 50 Years Old and 30 Years Old represent a commitment to continue crafting whisky with the same care, authenticity and respect for time and place for the next 200 years.
