# Old Pulteney distillery

Pulteney distillery is a malt whisky production and aging facility in the Pulteneytown area of Wick, Caithness, in the Highland area of Scotland. The distillery produces the Old Pulteney single malt whisky at a number of ages and has a visitor centre in Huddart Street.

## History

The Pulteney distillery was established in 1826 in the name of Sir William Pulteney (who died in 1805), and after whom Pulteneytown is named. The distillery was the most northerly on the Scottish mainland (the honour has been usurped by Wolfburn Distillery near Thurso) and was quite inaccessible, except by sea, when established. Barley was brought in by sea, and the whisky was shipped out the same way. Many of the distillery workers were also employed as fishermen. The herring fishing industry is no longer part of daily life in Wick but the distillery continues to operate, producing a Highland single malt with a reputation as one of the finest available. Characteristics of the whisky are attributed to exposure to sea air during maturation.
The distillery was sold to John Dewar & Sons in 1924. Dewars join Distillers Company (DLC) in 1925. The distillery closed in 1930 due to declining trade after the local parish enforced prohibition laws but re-opened in 1951 when the vote was rescinded after the law was abolished.
In 1954, Hiram Walker & Sons bought Pulteney and in 1961 sold it to Allied Breweries. In 1995, Allied sold Pulteney to Inver House Distillers.
In July 2023, the distillery released its oldest whisky to date, the 45-year-old "Old Pulteney Bow Wave".

## Production

The Pulteney site uses water from an old mill lade, constructed by Thomas Telford. This stream flows out of Loch Hempriggs, 3 or 4 kilometres (2 miles) to the south/southwest, and is reputed to have powered a barley mill at or near the site of the distillery.

## Awards

Old Pulteney 12 Years Old
International Spirits Challenge 2021 - 94 Points
San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2020 - Silver
International Wine & Spirits Competition 2019 - Gold - 95pts
International Spirits Challenge 2019 - Silver
Whisky Masters 2019 - Gold
International Wine and Spirit Competition 2018 - Silver Outstanding
International Spirits Challenge 2018 - Silver
Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2018 - 91 points
International Spirits Challenge 2017 – Silver
International Wine and Spirit Competition 2017 - Silver Outstanding
International Spirits Challenge 2016 - Silver
International Wine and Spirit Competition 2016 - Silver Outstanding
Old Pulteney Huddart
San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2020 - Silver
International Spirits Competition 2019 - Silver
World Whiskies Awards 2019 - Silver
Old Pulteney 15 Years Old
San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2020 – Silver
International Spirits Challenge 2019 – Gold
Whisky Masters 2019 - Gold
Old Pulteney 18 Years Old
San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2020 - Gold
International Spirits Competition 2019 – Silver
Whisky Masters 2019 - Gold
Old Pulteney 25 Years Old
San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2020 - Double Gold
International Spirits Challenge 2019 - Gold
International Spirits Challenge 2018 - Gold
International Wine and Spirit Competition – Gold
Traveller’s Exclusive
Old Pulteney 16 Years Old
International Spirits Challenge 2019 - Silver
Past awards in their collection include:
International Wine & Spirits Challenge 2018
Old Pulteney 2006 Ex-Bourbon - Silver Outstanding
International Wine and Spirit Competition 2017
Old Pulteney 17 Years Old – Silver
International Spirits Challenge 2017
Old Pulteney 35 Years Old 2nd Release – Silver
Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2017
Old Pulteney 21 Years Old - 94 points, finalist
Old Pulteney Navigator - 92 points
Old Pulteney Clipper - 91 points
IWSC 2016
Old Pulteney 21 Years Old – Gold
Old Pulteney 17 Years Old – Silver Outstanding
Old Pulteney Noss Head – Silver Outstanding
Old Pulteney Navigator – Silver
Old Pulteney Duncansby Head - Silver
International Spirits Challenge 2016
Old Pulteney 21 Years Old – Gold
Old Pulteney 17 Years Old – Silver
Old Pulteney Duncansby Head – Silver
Old Pulteney 35 Years Old 1st Release – Silver
Old Pulteney Dunnet Head - Silver
Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2016
Old Pulteney Navigator – 92 points
Old Pulteney 17 Years Old – 89 points
World Whiskies Awards 2016
Old Pulteney 1989 - Worlds Best Single Malt
Old Pulteney 17 Years Old – Silver
San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2016
Old Pulteney Navigator - Silver
Berlin World Spirits Competition 2016
Old Pulteney – Highland Scotch Distillery of the Year
Old Pulteney Navigator - Silver