Old Pulteney unveils 30 and 50 year old whiskies for 200th anniversary
By Shivani Dubey | 16 June 2026 | Food & Drink
Old Pulteney has released two of its oldest whiskies to date – the 30 and 50 years old – to mark the distillery’s 200 year anniversary
Old Pulteney is turning 200 years old, and to celebrate, the Scottish distillery has released two of its oldest whiskies to date: the Old Pulteney 30 Years Old (limited to 1000 bottles) and the Old Pulteney 50 Years Old, which is limited to just 200 bottles globally.
The oldest whisky ever released by the distillery, Old Pulteney 50 Years Old brings together four casks, capturing their own lifetime of maturation in Scotland’s far northern coast. Four hogsheads – each carrying the weight of 50 years – combine to celebrate 200 years of distilling in Wick.
Predominantly matured in American oak, the whisky has been patiently stewarded over five decades and hand-selected by Old Pulteney’s master of whisky creation, Sarah Burgess. This whisky sits within an elegant, hand-blown lead crystal decanter, with intricate sand-etched waves ripple around the base as a tribute to the maritime forces that shape this single malt.
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On the nose, you will find rich layers of chocolate with sweet, dried fruits and spiced cedar that give way to creamy vanilla and floral undertones with a faint wisp of coastal smoke to complete the aromatic journey. Upon first sip, you will find notes of candied orange peel and citrus oil, deepening into delicate oak and chocolate.
The Old Pulteney 30 Years Old, meanwhile, has been shaped over three decades and is presented within a clear, crystal decanter. The American and European casks that created this whisky were personally hand-filled by distillery manager Malcolm Waring. On the nose, aromas of sugared almonds and sweet oak are layered with pear, green apple, toffee, and a hint of citrus.
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.
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Speaking about the whiskies, Sarah Burgess, master of whisky creation at Old Pulteney said: “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,” she said.
“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,” she added.
