Old Pulteney
Full Highlands food & drink guide — distilleries, restaurants, where to stay, when to go.
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‘The Maritime Malt’ — a coastal Highland distillery in Wick, once the herring-fishing capital of Europe. Salty, briny, lightly oily character thanks to its unusually-shaped stills.
Old Pulteney is the Maritime Malt — a coastal Highland distillery in Wick, once the herring-fishing capital of the world, producing a characteristically salty, briny, slightly oily spirit unlike any other in Scotland. The 12 Year Old is the essential expression; the 18 and 21 Year Old are among the finest aged malts in the Highland category. A genuinely distinctive distillery often undervalued by those who haven't tried it.
Visiting Old Pulteney
Contact distillery
Wick, Caithness
KW1 5BA
- Shop
- Café/Restaurant
- Parking
Core range
12 Year Old
40% ABV · American oak refill
The 'maritime malt' from Wick — far north Highland with proper coastal character. Older expressions have held World Whisky of the Year accolades.
- Nose:
- Soft brine, honey, vanilla, gentle oak.
- Palate:
- Maritime malt — light salt, honey, vanilla, hint of citrus.
- Finish:
- Medium, slightly briny, clean.
15 Year Old
46% ABV · American oak + sherry finish
Bottled at 46% — proper maritime expression with sherry weight. Often the most-recommended step up from the 12.
- Nose:
- Honey, oak, soft brine, dried fruit.
- Palate:
- Layered — honey, sherry sweetness, soft salt, oak spice.
- Finish:
- Long, drying, faint salinity.
Food pairings
| Whisky | Food | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Smoked herring or kippers | ||
| Oysters or whelks |
Getting there
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Where to eat nearby
- Mackays HotelHotel/Restaurant
- The Norseman HotelHotel
Where to stay near Old Pulteney
Old Pulteney is in Wick, Caithness — about as far north as a distillery tour gets on the Scottish mainland. Wick's harbour hotels and B&Bs are the obvious stay; the Mackay's Hotel in the town centre is reliable. Thurso (20 miles west) is the ferry point for Orkney. This is genuinely remote and worth building a night or two into the schedule.
Where to stay near Old Pulteney
Hotels, B&Bs, and self-catering within easy reach of Old Pulteney.
Booking links are affiliate links — we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Location
Wick, Caithness, KW1 5BA
View on map →Frequently asked questions
+What is the connection to herring?
Wick was the herring capital of the world in the 19th century — 1,000 boats and 10,000 workers. Old Pulteney's Maritime Malt identity comes from this coastal heritage.
+Is the salty taste real?
Yes — the sea spray and coastal air genuinely influence the maturation environment, adding a distinctive brininess you won't find in inland distilleries.
+Where is Old Pulteney distillery?
Old Pulteney is in north highland, in the Highlands. Postcode KW1.
+When was Old Pulteney distillery founded?
Old Pulteney was founded in 1826, making it roughly 200 years old.
Compare with similar distilleries
Closest to Clynelish for waxy, coastal character. More overtly maritime than Oban.
Clynelish
One of Diageo’s most sought-after malts and long a whisky-geek favourite. The 14 Year Old is famous for its distinctive waxy, slightly oily texture that fans spend years chasing.
Oban
A tiny two-still distillery sitting right in the middle of the town it’s named after. Oban bridges Highland and West Coast island character — gently smoky, salty, fruity.
Other distilleries owned by Inver House (Thai Beverage)
Distilleries that share Old Pulteney's corporate parent — useful context if you're comparing house styles within an owner's stable.
Speyburn
A pretty Victorian distillery in Rothes producing fresh, easy-drinking Speyside spirit. Best known for being a regular fixture on supermarket value shelves.
Balblair
One of the oldest distilleries in Scotland, hidden away in the rolling Ross-shire countryside. Delicate, fruity, and famously featured in the film The Angels’ Share.
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