Old Pulteney Celebrates 200 Years with Rare 50-Year-Old and 30-Year-Old Whiskeys

Old Pulteney, Scotland’s historic Highland distillery, has released two limited-edition single malts—including its oldest-ever bottling—to mark its 200th anniversary. The 50-year-old expression, the distillery’s first whisky aged half a century, will be available worldwide in June 2026, priced at £20,000 per bottle. A second release, a 30-year-old single malt priced at £1,750, complements the anniversary celebration, with both whiskies reflecting Old Pulteney’s signature maritime character.

Old Pulteney’s 50-year-old single malt, aged in coastal warehouses on Scotland’s Caithness coast, is the oldest whisky ever released by the Wick-based distillery. Only 200 bottles have been produced, drawn from four hogshead casks matured in American and European oak. The whisky’s recommended retail price of £20,000 positions it among the most expensive Scotch releases in history, surpassing Old Pulteney’s previous record-holder, a 47-year-old bottling that sold for £62,500 in 2025.

The 30-year-old expression, limited to 1,000 bottles, was personally cask-filled by distillery manager Malcolm Waring three decades ago. Bottled at 50.4% ABV, it carries a recommended retail price of £1,750 and features rose-gold detailing on its crystal decanter. Both releases are presented in handcrafted packaging designed to evoke Old Pulteney’s coastal heritage.

Sarah Burgess, Old Pulteney’s master of whisky creation, stated that the anniversary releases were designed to capture the distillery’s maritime legacy. “The 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,” she said.

Old Pulteney, founded in 1826 in the fishing town of Wick, has long emphasized its connection to the sea, with its whiskies often described as “The Maritime Malt.” The distillery’s coastal maturation process imparts a distinct character to its expressions, influenced by the salt-laden air and harsh conditions of the Caithness coast.

The two limited-edition releases will be available through selected specialist retailers beginning in June 2026. Both whiskies are intended not only as a celebration of Old Pulteney’s bicentenary but also as a statement of its ambitions for the future.

Old Pulteney’s 50-year-old single malt is the oldest whisky ever released by the distillery, with only 200 bottles produced. The whisky was aged in four hogshead casks for half a century in Old Pulteney’s coastal warehouses, 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.

The 50-year-old whisky is bottled at 40.8% ABV and delivers notes of candied orange peel, citrus oils, and chocolate, alongside delicate oak influences and a lingering coastal finish. Each bottle is housed in a hand-blown lead crystal decanter featuring intricate wave detailing, presented in a handcrafted oak display case inspired by driftwood.

Old Pulteney’s 30-year-old single malt, limited to 1,000 bottles, was matured in American oak before being refined in European oak casks. The whisky is bottled at 50.4% ABV and offers aromas of sugared almonds, orchard fruits, and sweet oak, followed by flavors of citrus, pear, salted caramel, and warming spice. The bottle is presented in a crystal decanter with rose-gold detailing and maritime-inspired engraving.

The two anniversary releases are priced significantly higher than Old Pulteney’s standard offerings, reflecting their rarity and historical significance. The 50-year-old whisky is priced at £20,000, while the 30-year-old is priced at £1,750. Both releases are intended to appeal to collectors and whisky enthusiasts seeking unique expressions tied to Old Pulteney’s heritage.

Old Pulteney’s 200th anniversary marks a milestone in Scotland’s whisky industry, with the distillery’s limited-edition releases highlighting its enduring legacy. The releases are designed to showcase the distillery’s maritime character and its commitment to crafting whiskies shaped by their coastal environment.

The two anniversary whiskies will be available through selected specialist retailers beginning in June 2026. Old Pulteney’s master of whisky creation, Sarah Burgess, emphasized the importance of the releases in capturing the distillery’s heritage. “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.

The releases also signal Old Pulteney’s ambitions for the future, as the distillery enters its third century of production. The anniversary bottlings are intended not only as a celebration of history but also as a statement of the distillery’s continued innovation and dedication to its maritime roots.

Old Pulteney’s 50-year-old single malt is the oldest whisky ever released by the distillery, with only 200 bottles produced. The whisky was aged in coastal warehouses on Scotland’s Caithness coast, exposed to the salt-laden air and harsh conditions of the region. The result is a whisky that captures both the passage of time and the distinctive character of its maritime home.

The 30-year-old single malt, limited to 1,000 bottles, was personally cask-filled by distillery manager Malcolm Waring three decades ago. The whisky’s packaging and presentation reflect Old Pulteney’s coastal heritage, with intricate detailing and maritime-inspired designs.

Both whiskies are priced significantly higher than Old Pulteney’s standard offerings, reflecting their rarity and historical significance. The 50-year-old whisky is priced at £20,000, while the 30-year-old is priced at £1,750. The releases are intended to appeal to collectors and whisky enthusiasts seeking unique expressions tied to Old Pulteney’s heritage.

Old Pulteney’s 200th anniversary releases highlight the distillery’s enduring legacy and its commitment to crafting whiskies shaped by their coastal environment. The limited-edition whiskies are designed to showcase Old Pulteney’s maritime character and its dedication to preserving its heritage while looking toward the future.

The two anniversary whiskies will be available through selected specialist retailers beginning in June 2026. Old Pulteney’s master of whisky creation, Sarah Burgess, emphasized the importance of the releases in capturing the distillery’s heritage and setting the stage for its third century of production.