Old Pulteney marks 200 years with limited Distillery Exclusive

In 2026, Old Pulteney single malt Scotch whisky marks a historic milestone: 200 years of distilling on Scotland’s northern coast. As part of the celebrations, The Maritime Malt is today (25th May) unveiling a new limited-edition Old Pulteney 200th Anniversary Distillery Exclusive that pays tribute to the whisky’s remote coastal home in Wick, where the elements have shaped its unique character since 1826.

This 10-year-old single malt honours two centuries of whisky making know-how and an unwavering commitment to industrial craftsmanship. Venturing into new territory for Old Pulteney, this smooth and balanced whisky has been matured in American oak ex-Bourbon casks before further refinement in both ex-Manzanilla and ex-Oloroso casks.

Old Pulteney 200th Anniversary Distillery Exclusive is a golden-hued whisky that encompasses the unmistakable coastal character of Old Pulteney and its home on the northern Scottish coast. On the nose, notes of vanilla, citrus, spiced dried fruits, polished oak and caramelised pear are lifted by a distinctive saline edge. The palate beautifully combines exquisite flavours of crème caramel, rich vanilla, lemon zest, salted chocolate and cinnamon, culminating in a balanced finish that is both sweet and salty.

Pulteney Distillery Open Day

Pulteney Distillery has also revealed plans to throw open its historic doors to friends and neighbours in the Wick community on Saturday 20th June, to ensure they are amongst the first to sample this special new dram and experience the distillery’s newly refreshed Brand Home first hand.

Free of charge and open to anyone with a Wick postcode, guests will be welcomed into the distillery on the day to join the 200th birthday celebrations - and to enjoy a complimentary welcome highball, a 45 minute tour and a tasting of the new Old Pulteney 200th Anniversary Distillery Exclusive whisky. Taking place between 10am and 3pm, local guests can also look forward to live music, canapes and an Old Pulteney goody bag to take home with them.

Coinciding with Wick Harbour Day, numbers will be limited and people are encouraged to visit  Old Pulteney’s website for more information about how to sign up and redeem their spot at the event.

Malcolm Waring, Distillery Manager at Pulteney Distillery, commented:

‘Reaching 200 years is a truly significant milestone for Old Pulteney and a proud moment for everyone connected to our distillery, both past and present. For two centuries, the distillery has remained deeply rooted in its coastal home of Wick, with its location and maritime climate playing an integral role in shaping the distinctive character of our whisky.

‘This special anniversary release is both a celebration of that rich heritage and a reflection of the skill, care and dedication passed down through generations of craftspeople. At the same time, it highlights Old Pulteney’s continued commitment to innovation, exploring new cask influences while staying true to the coastal character that weaves through all our whiskies.

‘Wick is at the heart of our whisky and we are also very much looking forward to welcoming our neighbours and friends from across the Wick community to our celebrations on the 20th June. Few whiskies are so entwined with the place where they’re made as Old Pulteney. We want to ensure that our staff, their families and people from across the town have a chance to come together to toast this very special moment in our shared history’.

Sarah Burgess, Master of Whisky Creation at Old Pulteney added:

‘In my role, there are three things I always strive for: to create exceptional whiskies, to ensure every drop embodies the true character of our distillery, and to leave behind treasures for future generations to uncover.

‘Old Pulteney has long been referred to as the ‘Manzanilla of the North’ so finding whisky laid down by previous generations that had been further matured in ex-Manzanilla casks felt like discovering a hidden gift within our warehouses.

‘The gentle salinity offered by these casks, enriched by the depth of further refinement in ex-Oloroso casks, has created a whisky that beautifully marries sweetness with our unmistakable coastal character.’