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10th June 2026 |
Review of the
Old Pulteney 200th Anniversary
Distillery Exclusive 10 Year Old single
malt, a well-judged celebration of Old
Pulteney's coastal character, combining
its familiar honeyed bourbon-cask core
with the richer fruit and spice
influence of Manzanilla and Oloroso
maturation.
 In
2026, Old Pulteney celebrates a major
milestone: 200 years of whisky
production on Scotland's far northern
coast. To mark the occasion, The
Maritime Malt has launched a special
limited release — the Old Pulteney
200th Anniversary Distillery Exclusive —
created as a tribute to its remote
coastal home in Wick, where the harsh
maritime conditions have helped define
its character since 1826.
This Old Pulteney 200th Anniversary
Distillery Exclusive 10 Year Old single
malt is said to reflect two centuries of
expertise in whisky-making and a
deep-rooted dedication to traditional
craftsmanship. It also explores new
territory for Old Pulteney, being
matured in American oak ex-Bourbon
casks, before receiving additional
maturation in both ex-Manzanilla and
ex-Oloroso sherry casks.
Pulteney Distillery Open Day
Pulteney Distillery has also tells me that
it will open its doors to local
residents and friends in the Wick
community on Saturday 20th June. The aim
is to give early access to the new
release and showcase its refreshed brand
home experience.
Entry is free for anyone with a Wick
postcode. Visitors will be welcomed into
the distillery to join the 200th
anniversary celebrations, which include
a complimentary welcome highball, a
45-minute guided tour, and a tasting of
the new Old Pulteney 200th Anniversary
Distillery Exclusive whisky. The event
runs from 10am to 3pm and will also
feature live music, light refreshments
such as canapés, and an Old Pulteney
gift bag for attendees.
Taking place alongside Wick Harbour Day,
attendance will be limited, and visitors
are encouraged to check Old Pulteney's
website for booking details and to
secure a place.
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.’
Bottled at 48% ABV, the Old Pulteney
200th Anniversary Distillery Exclusive
is priced at £99 and from Old Pulteney’s
Brand Home in Wick and to members of Old
Pulteney’s mailing list. To purchase a
bottle, sign up to Old Pulteney’s
mailing list here: https://oldpulteney.com/products/200-year-distillery-exclusive
You will also find the current Old Pulteney whisky range available from specialist online whisky
shops such as
The Whisky Exchange
and
Master of Malt
|
Old Pulteney 200th Anniversary Distillery Exclusive
10 Year Old Review
|
Bottled at 48% ABV.
Producer's
Tasting Notes:
Nose: An
inviting blend of bourbon-cask sweetness
and coastal freshness opens the nose,
with soft vanilla, caramel, and bright
citrus at the fore. As it develops,
richer layers emerge—gentle spiced dried
fruits, caramelised pear, and a very
gentle raisin-like depth drawn from the
sherry influence. Polished oak adds
structure, while a distinct maritime
salinity runs through the aroma, keeping
everything lifted and distinctly
coastal.
Taste: The
arrival is smooth and dessert-like,
unfolding into crème caramel, vanilla
custard, and soft toffee sweetness.
Bright lemon zest cuts through the
richness, bringing lift and precision,
while salted chocolate adds a subtle
savoury contrast. Mid-palate, warming
cinnamon pastry and gentle spice build
gradually, alongside dried fruit tones
that hint at raisin and apricot. The
sherry cask influence integrates with
the bourbon base to create a rounded
interplay of sweetness, spice, and
citrus, all underpinned by a light
coastal salinity.
Finish: A
longish finish, gently tapering rather
than fading abruptly. Sweet vanilla and
soft caramel linger alongside a delicate
echo of dried fruit and delicious oak
spice. A final flicker of sea salt
emerges late, leaving a clean, slightly
drying maritime impression that balances
the sweeter elements of the whisky.
Comment:
This is a well-judged celebration of Old
Pulteney's coastal character, combining
its familiar honeyed bourbon-cask core
with the richer fruit and spice
influence of Manzanilla and Oloroso
maturation and all boosted by its 48%
ABV bottling strength. A layered yet approachable
dram that stays true to the distillery's
maritime identity while adding extra
depth and festive complexity. Overall,
it's a refined, celebratory dram that
feels true to Old Pulteney while adding
enough complexity to justify its special
release status.
SMW Whisky Score
90/100
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Other Old Pulteney 200th Anniversary
Releases
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