Two rare whiskies to honour our distillery’s 200th anniversary

Global spirits business International Beverage is celebrating 200 years of time-honoured craftsmanship and maritime resilience at Pulteney Distillery, with the unveiling today (16^th June 2026) of two rare Old Pulteney single malt Scotch whiskies.

At this defining moment in The Maritime Malt’s history, two extraordinary limited editions - Old Pulteney 50 Years Old and Old Pulteney 30 Years Old - have been crafted for release to global markets from June 2026.

Both are masterfully aged spirits, distilled and matured at Pulteney Distillery in the historic port of Wick on Scotland’s windswept north coast. Both are shaped by the sea that dominates this remote part of Scotland, and the pride and tenacity of its people. After decades of maturation in carefully selected casks, salt-laden winds and time have combined to refine two single malts, with an unmistakable coastal character that has run deep since 1826.

Old Pulteney 50 Years Old

The oldest ever release from Old Pulteney, just 200 bottles of this rare, deeply complex expression will be available globally, epitomising 200 years of industrial craftsmanship and maritime heritage in Wick.

A careful selection of four casks have nurtured this whisky for half a century, resulting in a whisky of deep coastal character. This single malt has been predominantly matured in American oak whilst a subtle seasoning of European oak adds a gentle richness and depth to this extraordinary expression.

Old Pulteney 50 Years Old is held within an exquisite crystal decanter expertly developed and crafted by the award-winning team at Glencairn Crystal. Each hand-blown bottle is unique, adorned with intricate sand-etched wave patterns that ripple elegantly around its base and a sculptural curved gold base envelopes each decanter. The outer casing is meticulously crafted from premium oak, with a design inspired by the driftwood of Old Pulteney’s coastal home.

Old Pulteney 30 Years Old

 

Matured in American oak casks and refined in European oak casks, this limited release of 1,000 bottles features a whisky that harnesses the relentless conditions of the Caithness coast: a celebration of an unwavering commitment to craftsmanship and of everything which makes Old Pulteney one of the most enduring 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.

The whisky is elegantly presented within a clear crystal decanter, again meticulously handcrafted and decorated by Glencairn Crystal. Each decanter is gilded with delicate rose gold detail and retains Old Pulteney’s distinctive bottle neck shape, inspired by the distillery’s unusual still shape. The base features intricate sand-etchings of ocean waves, paying homage to the maritime forces that have shaped this whisky. Again, the bespoke outer casing takes inspiration from weathered driftwood and the whisky’s balance of refinement with rugged beauty.

Designed by Lewis Moberly, the Old Pulteney team partnered with two UK specialists to bring both bottles to life; Glencairn Crystal who handcrafted the bespoke decanters and Morans Wood Components to handcraft the outer casings.

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.

Fiona Kennie, International Beverage Global Marketing Director said:

It’s an honour for us to be custodians of Old Pulteney at this very special moment in its history, and to be sharing these two excellent whiskies with the world today. Few spirits embody their heritage and provenance as much as Old Pulteney, and with these new releases, these qualities come together beautifully in two exceptional single malts. This is a proud moment for everyone at Old Pulteney as we celebrate a much-loved whisky that has held its unique coastal character for two centuries, while unveiling a new era for the brand as we look ahead to the next 200 years.

Sarah Burgess, International Beverage Master of Whisky Creation added:

For this special year we wanted to create something extraordinary, not only to mark the milestone but as a true celebration of the distillery and the maritime thread that weaves through all Old Pulteney whiskies. I often think casks of whisky are like people, each behaving in an individual way and changing over time. For these two new expressions, my job was to select casks that honour the different moments in the distillery’s 200-year history, whilst bringing them together in whiskies that reflect everything Old Pulteney represents.

The business also confirmed an evolved marketing campaign - Character Runs Deep – which signals a new era for Old Pulteney whilst staying true to the brand’s roots. Set to launch from June 2026, the campaign recognises the strong character, tough conditions and time-honoured industrial craftsmanship that have defined The Maritime Malt since 1826.

Interest for Old Pulteney 50 Years Old (70cl) and 30 Years Old (70cl) can be registered on Old Pulteney’s website and available from select specialist partners across key markets including the UK, Global Travel Retail, China, Japan, France and USA from June 2026 onwards.