This Iconic 200-Year-Old Distillery Celebrates the Milestone with Its Oldest Whisky Ever

If the $26,000 price tag is too steep, there’s a $2,300 version as well.

Close-up of a bottle neck with a gold cap featuring a black emblem of a ship and waves.

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By Ethan Brehm

Published 3 hours ago

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When you turn 200, you can pretty much celebrate however you want.

Hailing from the historic fishing port town of Wick along the northeast coast of mainland Scotland, Old Pulteney has always been different from other Highland Scotch brands. Since 1826, the distillery has aged its whisky in oceanside warehouses where the unique climate helps create the briny, salty character that’s made it iconic.

Now, after two centuries, the Maritime Malt is getting its oldest expression ever.

Close-up of a textured wooden container with a gold label reading "Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky 50 Years. — Old Pulteney celebrates its 200th anniversary with its oldest single malt ever.

The whisky

Aged for a total of 50 years, the latest single malt from Old Pulteney spent most of its life in American oak barrels before getting “refined” in European oak. Four barrels (adding up to 200 years total) were selected by Master of Whisky Creation Sarah Burgess to make up this exquisite batch.

Bottle of Old Pulteney 50 Years single malt Scotch whisky in a gold and wood display stand on a beige surface. — The 50-year expression is made up of four casks aged in American oak.

Person holding a glass of amber whiskey with Old Pulteney whiskey bottles and wooden packaging on a table. — Master of Whisky Creation Sarah Burgess hand-selected each 50-year cask, adding up to 200 years total.

If you’re one of the fortunate ones to try out this $26,000+ whisky, you’ll experience aromas of chocolate, dried fruit, spiced cedar and vanilla on the nose. Meanwhile, the palate exhibits notes of candied orange peel, oak and more chocolate, giving way to a long finish of tropical fruit and “maritime finesse.” It sits at 40.8% ABV.

This tops Old Pulteney’s previous oldest whisky, a 47-year single malt auctioned off last year at the Distillers One of One charity auction.

Bottle of Old Pulteney 50 Years single malt Scotch whisky in a wooden and gold display case. — The bottle is placed inside a wooden case inspired by weathered driftwood on Wick’s coast.

Looks to match

For any prestigious whisky, presentation is everything. To back up the steep pricing, the distillery has encased the whisky in a beautiful crystal decanter made by Glencairn — the same glassmaker known for its bulbous, stemless tasting glasses.

Gold bottle cap with a black compass rose design and text reading "Pulteney Distillery, Wick, Caithness" and coordinates. — The whisky is encased in a beautiful Glencairn decanter with rose gold accents.

Close-up of a dark amber Old Pulteney 50 years single malt Scotch whisky bottle with gold lettering. — This whisky is limited to just 200 bottles, priced at over $26,000.

Like other Old Pulteney bottles, the design features a distinct neck that nods to the neckless stills the distillery is known for. Legend says the still was originally too tall for the roof, so the top section had to be removed. The result has always been a heavier profile than your average Highland Scotch.

The side of the bottle features rose gold detailing, while an ocean wave design is etched into the base. A bespoke wooden packaging houses the decanter, inspired by weathered driftwood found on Wick’s shores.

Bottle of Old Pulteney 30-year single malt Scotch whisky with textured cylindrical wooden box on a beige surface. — Along with the 50-year expression, Old Pulteney is offering a 30-year for “just” $2,300.

One more bottle

If $26,000 is too much for your pocketbook, Old Pulteney has also unveiled a 30-year expression for the occasion (~$2,315). It’s a single malt bottled at 50.4% ABV and also comes in the wooden case.

Availability and pricing

Limited to just 200 bottles, the 50 Year Single Malt carries a £20,000 (~$26,474) price tag. You can contact a client manager from Old Pulteney’s website for more information.

The 30 Year Single Malt, priced at £1,750 (~$2,315) has a bit higher allotment at 1,000 bottles total.

Bottle and glass of Old Pulteney 50 Years single malt Scotch whisky on a beige surface with a brown background.

Old Pulteney 50 Year Single Malt Whisky

Learn More

About the Author: Ethan Brehm is an associate editor at Gear Patrol writing about footwear, watches, spirits, EDC and more. When he’s not shopping for his next G-Shock, he spends his time watching movies and planning a future road trip with his family. He firmly believes CDs sound better than vinyl.

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