Old Pulteney marks 200th anniversary with 50YO whisky
The brand’s owner, International Beverage, heralds Old Pulteney 50 Year Old as the Highland distillery’s oldest-ever release.
Only 200 decanters of Old Pulteney 50 Year Old will be available worldwide, offered at a recommended retail price of £20,000 (US$26,800) for 700ml.
Bottled at an ABV of 40.8%, the expression comprises just four casks. The liquid was predominantly matured in American oak, while ‘a subtle seasoning of European oak adds a gentle richness and depth to an extraordinary expression’.
Official tasting notes mention sea air, plum jam, marmalade on toast, leather, tobacco, toffee, vanilla and cardamom.
Old Pulteney 50 Year Old is presented in a hand-blown Glencairn Crystal decanter featuring sand-etched wave patterns. Its wooden case is ‘inspired by the driftwood of Old Pulteney’s coastal home’ and is made by luxury wooden packaging specialist Morans Wood Components.
Meanwhile, the whisky’s sister release, a 30-year-old, is limited to 1,000 bottles, with an RRP of £1,750 (US$2,340).
The expression was matured in American oak casks and ‘refined’ in European oak casks.
The limited edition bottling also comes in a Glencairn Crystal decanter and presentation case from Morans Wood.
At a strength of 50.4% ABV, it is characterised as having aromas of sugared almonds, orchard fruits, toffee, maritime breeze and leather, with salted caramel, warm spices and delicate floral notes on the palate.
London-based agency Lewis Moberly designed the packaging for both releases.
A 200-year history
Speaking on the significance of these bicentenary bottlings, International Beverage’s master of whisky creation, Sarah Burgess, said: “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, while bringing them together in whiskies that reflect everything Old Pulteney represents.”
Potential buyers can register their interest in these two bottlings on the Old Pulteney website ahead of their debut in specialist retailers in the UK, China, Japan, France and the US, as well as global travel retail, from June onwards.
Fiona Kennie, global marketing director for International Beverage, added: “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.”
The launch of the two single malts coincides with an international marketing campaign entitled ‘Character Runs Deep’, which will recognise ‘the strong character, tough conditions and time-honoured industrial craftsmanship that have defined The Maritime Malt since 1826’.
Old Pulteney kicked off its 200th anniversary celebrations earlier this year with the release of a limited edition 10-year-old single malt.
Last year, a one-off bottling of Old Pulteney single malt sold at the Distillers One of One charity auction at Sotheby’s in Edinburgh. The 1.5 litre decanter of Old Pulteney Polaris 47 Year Old earned a hammer price of £62,500 ($US83,800).
Related news
Top 10 biggest-selling Scotch Brand Champions
