Whisky Focus - Old Pulteney 50 Year Old 200th Anniversary Release

Global spirits company International Beverage is marking a major milestone in the history of Pulteney Distillery on the North Coast of Scotland, this year they are celebrating 200 years of heritage, craftsmanship and maritime spirit with the launch of two exceptionally rare Old Pulteney single malt Scotch whiskies.

Unveiled today, 16 June 2026, the releases commemorate a landmark chapter for The Maritime Malt. The limited-edition expressions — Old Pulteney 50 Years Old and Old Pulteney 30 Years Old — will be introduced to markets worldwide from June 2026.

Both whiskies have been distilled and matured at Pulteney Distillery in the historic harbour town of Wick, located on Scotland’s rugged northern coastline. Influenced by the sea that surrounds this remote region and inspired by the resilience and character of the local community, each expression reflects decades of careful maturation. Time, together with the salt-rich coastal air, has shaped two distinctive single malts that embody the maritime character synonymous with Old Pulteney since 1826.

The Old Pulteney 50 Years Old represents the oldest expression ever released by Old Pulteney, only 200 bottles of this exceptionally rare whisky will be available worldwide. The release stands as a tribute to two centuries of craftsmanship and seafaring heritage in Wick.

Created from a carefully selected combination of four casks, the whisky has matured for five decades to develop remarkable depth and complexity. Predominantly aged in American oak, it is complemented by a subtle influence of European oak, which contributes additional richness and balance to the final spirit.

Old Pulteney 50 Years Old is presented in a striking crystal decanter designed and produced by the award-winning artisans at Glencairn Crystal. Every hand-blown bottle is individually crafted and features detailed sand-etched wave motifs around its base. A sculpted gold-coloured foundation surrounds each decanter, while the outer presentation case is fashioned from premium oak and inspired by the driftwood found along the distillery’s coastal surroundings

As Old Pulteney enters its third century, the launch of the Old Pulteney 50 Years Old and Old Pulteney 30 Years Old represents both a celebration of the distillery's rich heritage and the beginning of an exciting 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 company also announced the next evolution of its marketing platform, Character Runs Deep, which ushers in a new era for Old Pulteney while remaining firmly rooted in the brand's heritage. Launching in June 2026, the campaign celebrates the resilience, determination and traditional craftsmanship that have shaped The Maritime Malt since 1826, highlighting the enduring connection between the whisky, its coastal environment and the people behind it.

Consumers can register their interest in Old Pulteney 50 Years Old (70cl) and Old Pulteney 30 Years Old (70cl) via the Old Pulteney website. Both expressions will be available through a selection of specialist retail partners in key markets, including the UK, Global Travel Retail, China, Japan, France and the USA, from June 2026.

You will find the Old Pulteney 30 Year Old along with the Old Pulteney 50 Year Old available from specialist online whisky shops such as Hard To Find Whiskiy, The Whisky Exchange and Master of Malt
 

• Old Pulteney 30 Year Old 200th Anniversary Review
   
• Old Pulteney 200th Anniversary Distillery Exclusive Review (A 10 Year Old distillery exclusive already released to mark 200 Years of the Maritime Malt)
   
• Old Pulteney 12 Year Old Review (Not an 200th Anniversary Release but worth looking as it really is the foundation of the Old Pulteney whisky range)

• UK Shops
   
• USA Shops
   
• European Shops

Whisky Focus