Old Pulteney has announced the launch of new limited-edition 50 and 30 Year Old single malts, to celebrate the distillery’s 200th anniversary.

Both new releases have been distilled and matured at the distillery located in the historic port of Wick, on Scotland’s windswept north coast. After decades of maturation in carefully selected casks, salt-laden winds and the passage of time have combined to refine two single malts which have been described as having unmistakable coastal character.

Old Pulteney 50 Year Old (40.8% ABV), the distillery’s oldest release to date, has been drawn from just four casks, predominantly American oak with a subtle seasoning of European oak. It is said to deliver aromas of maritime sea air, cask char, plum jam, green apples, creamy vanilla, freshly toasted bread generously spread with marmalade and a subtle hint of fine leather on the nose. These are followed on the palate by notes of salt, pepper, cask char, toffee apple, cardamom, clove and sweet tobacco.

The release is housed in a crystal decanter, developed and crafted by the award-winning team at Glencairn Crystal. Each hand-blown decanter is unique, adorned with intricate sand-etched wave patterns that ripple elegantly around its base. A sculptural curved gold base embraces each decanter, while the outer presentation case is meticulously crafted from premium oak and inspired by the driftwood of Old Pulteney’s coastal home.

Old Pulteney 30 Year Old (50.4% ABV), matured in a combination of American and European oak casks, is said to offer aromas of sugared almonds, sweet oak, pear, green apple, toffee, polished oak, citrus, leather, tobacco and a gentle maritime breeze on the nose. On the palate, it delivers notes of citrus and crisp pear, alongside salted caramel, baked apple, cinnamon, nutmeg, polished oak and delicate floral notes.

Adding to its rarity, Distillery Manager Malcolm Waring personally hand-filled the casks in which this single malt spent three decades developing its unmistakable coastal character.

The whisky is presented in a clear crystal decanter, again meticulously handcrafted and decorated by Glencairn Crystal. Each decanter is finished with delicate rose gold detailing and retains Old Pulteney’s distinctive neck shape, inspired by the unusual shape of the distillery’s stills.

Commenting on the launch, Sarah Burgess, Master of Whisky Creation, said: “For this special year, we wanted to create something extraordinary, not only to mark the milestone but also as a true celebration of the distillery and the maritime thread that runs 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 different moments in the distillery’s 200-year history, while bringing them together in whiskies that reflect everything Old Pulteney represents.”

Old Pulteney 50 Year Old (limited to 200 bottles) and Old Pulteney 30 Year Old (limited to 1,000 bottles) are available via the distillery’s website and selected specialist retailers, for the respective RRPs of £20,000 and £1,750.