Old Pulteney celebrates 200^th anniversary with limited edition ‘Distillery Exclusive’ whisky

Distillery Open Day celebrations for Wick community also confirmed

In 2026, Old Pulteney single malt Scotch whisky marks a historic milestone: 200 years of distilling on Scotland’s northern coast. As part of the celebrations, The Maritime Malt is today (25^th May) unveiling a new limited-edition Old Pulteney 200^th Anniversary Distillery Exclusive that pays tribute to the whisky’s remote coastal home in Wick, where the elements have shaped its unique character since 1826. 

This 10-year-old single malt honours two centuries of whisky making know-how and an unwavering commitment to industrial craftsmanship. Venturing into new territory for Old Pulteney, this smooth and balanced whisky has been matured in American oak ex-Bourbon casks before further refinement in both ex-Manzanilla and ex-Oloroso casks.

Old Pulteney 200^th Anniversary Distillery Exclusive is a golden-hued whisky that encompasses the unmistakable coastal character of Old Pulteney and its home on the northern Scottish coast. On the nose, notes of vanilla, citrus, spiced dried fruits, polished oak and caramelised pear are lifted by a distinctive saline edge. The palate beautifully combines exquisite flavours of crème caramel, rich vanilla, lemon zest, salted chocolate and cinnamon, culminating in a balanced finish that is both sweet and salty.

Pulteney Distillery Open Day 

Pulteney Distillery has also revealed plans to throw open its historic doors to friends and neighbours in the Wick community on Saturday 20^th June, to ensure they are amongst the first to sample this special new dram and experience the distillery’s newly refreshed Brand Home first hand.

Free of charge and open to anyone with a Wick postcode, guests will be welcomed into the distillery on the day to join the 200^th birthday celebrations – and to enjoy a complimentary welcome highball, a 45 minute tour and a tasting of the new Old Pulteney 200^th Anniversary Distillery Exclusive whisky.  Taking place between 10am and 3pm, local guests can also look forward to live music, canapes and an Old Pulteney goody bag to take home with them.

Coinciding with Wick Harbour Day, numbers will be limited and people are encouraged to visit Old Pulteney’s website for more information about how to sign up and redeem their spot at the event.

Malcolm Waring, Distillery Manager at Pulteney Distillery, commented: ‘Reaching 200 years is a truly significant milestone for Old Pulteney and a proud moment for everyone connected to our distillery, both past and present. For two centuries, the distillery has remained deeply rooted in its coastal home of Wick, with its location and maritime climate playing an integral role in shaping the distinctive character of our whisky. 

‘This special anniversary release is both a celebration of that rich heritage and a reflection of the skill, care and dedication passed down through generations of craftspeople. At the same time, it highlights Old Pulteney’s continued commitment to innovation, exploring new cask influences while staying true to the coastal character that weaves through all our whiskies. 

‘Wick is at the heart of our whisky and we are also very much looking forward to welcoming our neighbours and friends from across the Wick community to our celebrations on the 20^th June. Few whiskies are so entwined with the place where they’re made as Old Pulteney. We want to ensure that our staff, their families and people from across the town have a chance to come together to toast this very special moment in our shared history’.

Sarah Burgess, Master of Whisky Creation at Old Pulteney added: ‘In my role, there are three things I always strive for: to create exceptional whiskies, to ensure every drop embodies the true character of our distillery, and to leave behind treasures for future generations to uncover. 

‘Old Pulteney has long been referred to as the ‘Manzanilla of the North’ so finding whisky laid down by previous generations that had been further matured in ex-Manzanilla casks felt like discovering a hidden gift within our warehouses. 

‘The gentle salinity offered by these casks, enriched by the depth of further refinement in ex-Oloroso casks, has created a whisky that beautifully marries sweetness with our unmistakable coastal character.’

Bottled at 48% ABV, Old Pulteney 200^th Anniversary Distillery Exclusive is priced at £99 and is available from 25^th May 2026 from Old Pulteney’s Brand Home in Wick and to members of Old Pulteney’s mailing list. To purchase a bottle, sign up to Old Pulteney’s mailing list here 

To find our more about the Wick Open Day on 20^th June please click here

www.interbevgroup.com

https://www.oldpulteney.com/ 

www.linkedin.com/company/international-beverage/

About International Beverage

International Beverage is the international arm of Thai Beverage Public Limited Company. The premium spirits company’s portfolio is led by a range of high-quality brands including Old Pulteney single malt Scotch whisky, Hankey Bannister blended Scotch whisky, Caorunn Gin, PRAKAAN single malt whiskies and Phraya Rum from Thailand, Larsen Cognac, and Cardrona spirits and liqueurs.

A certified Great Place to Work, International Beverage’s success is shaped by its 700-strong team based across the business’ network of nine global sites spanning the UK, France, New Zealand, and Greater China following the company’s recent acquisition of Asiaeuro International Beverage (AIB). For more information, please visit www.interbevgroup.com/.

Tasting Notes: Old Pulteney 200^th Anniversary Distillery Exclusive

Colour: Golden.

Notes: Vanilla, bright citrus, spiced dried fruits, polished oak and caramelized pear are lifted by a distinctive saline edge.

Palate: Notes of crème caramel, rich vanilla, lemon zest, salted chocolate and cinnamon pastry come together beautifully.

Finish: Medium finish, balancing a soft sweetness with a maritime saltiness.

ABV: 48%
RRP: £99

About Old Pulteney

For two centuries, on the northern coast of Scotland in Wick, salt-laden winds, maritime resilience, and a steady commitment to craft have shaped Old Pulteney – a remarkable Single Malt Scotch Whisky with an enduring salty character.

Pulteney Distillery was founded in 1826 at the height of Wick’s fishing boom and named after the town’s newly developed ‘Pulteneytown’ area. Accessible mainly by sea, barley for whisky making was shipped in to Wick harbour by boat, and these boats were shipped back out again taking Old Pulteney whisky to the world. 200 years later, Old Pulteney is still made at the same distillery site, where maritime conditions and meticulous cask selection imbue the whisky with an unmistakable taste. Its story is inseparable from the sea and the community, heritage and spirit of the whisky’s remote coastal home.

Old Pulteney’s award-winning core collection includes Harbour, 12 Years Old, Huddart, 15 Years Old, 18 Years Old and 25 Years Old. Recent global awards for Old Pulteney’s core range include:

• A highly coveted Platinum for Old Pulteney 12 Years Old at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, plus Double Gold for Old Pulteney Huddart and 15 Years Old, and Gold for Old Pulteney 18 Years Old.
• Gold for Old Pulteney 18 Years Old and Silver for Old Pulteney 12 Years Old at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards.
• Silver for Old Pulteney Huddart, 15 Years Old and 18 Years Old at the 2025 International Wine & Spirit Competition.

Maker’s Mark® Teams Up with Two-Time WNBA Champion & Olympic Gold Medalist Kelsey Plum to Launch Limited-Edition Bourbon

“Yam Jam by Kelsey Plum” Private Selection, inspired by her Perfectly Unreasonable spirit, will benefit the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation  

LORETTO, Ky., Maker’s Mark®, the iconic Kentucky bourbon, today announced a collaboration with Olympic gold medalist, WNBA All-Star and Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum. Together, Plum and Maker’s Mark have created a custom Private Selection bourbon inspired by Plum’s relentless pursuit of excellence and unapologetically bold approach to her craft. Launching just ahead of the 2026 WNBA season, Yam Jam by Kelsey Plum will be available beginning May 7 at select retailers in Los Angeles.

Last year, Plum visited Star Hill Farm, home of the Maker’s Mark Distillery, to participate in the brand’s Private Selection program—an immersive experience that allows individuals, as well as retail and restaurant partners, to create a one-of-a-kind expression by customizing the finishing process of Maker’s Mark bourbon.

“Working with Maker’s Mark to create my own bourbon gave me a chance to take the same approach I bring to the court—thoughtful, precise and intentional—and craft an expression that truly reflects who I am,” said Kelsey Plum. “I’ve always admired Maker’s Mark for their dedication to taking the time to achieve their exact vision. With Yam Jam, I wanted something bold and distinctive, with warmth and balance, meant to be enjoyed with family and friends, just as their founders intended with Maker’s Mark.”

Bottled at 55.65% ABV (111.3 proof), Yam Jam opens with aromas of bright chili spice and citrus, balanced by toasted oak, white pepper and cherry. On the palate, the bourbon evolves with notes of sweet potato pie, toasted pecan and soft baking spices, finishing with a vibrant lingering blend of baking chocolate, pie cherries and orange rind.

Maker’s Mark has donated the first barrel to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation to support its charitable fundraising efforts, helping provide critical equipment and resources for Los Angeles firefighters.

To complement the release, Plum also developed a signature cocktail, “KP’s Kicking Mule,” a vibrant, citrus-forward take on a classic mule. The recipe combines Maker’s Mark bourbon with blood orange, blackberry and ginger for a refreshing yet complex serve.

Maker’s Mark’s collaboration with Kelsey Plum builds on the brand’s broader commitment to women’s basketball, brought to life through its multi-year partnership with Unrivaled—the 3-on-3 challenger league—its first sports league sponsorship, announced earlier this year. The partnership also serves as a platform for its “Perfectly Unreasonable” global campaign, celebrating the idea that going to extraordinary lengths—in life and in bourbon—is what separates good from remarkable.

“It was a pleasure to host Kelsey and her mom at Maker’s Mark’s homeplace last year—to share what makes our brand so special and bring her taste vision to life through our Private Selection program,” said Rob Samuels, eighth-generation whisky maker and managing director of Maker’s Mark. “This partnership brings together our passion for exceptional bourbon with Kelsey’s unmatched focus, warmth and authenticity—all in support of a meaningful cause.”

For more information, please visit www.makersmark.com.

About Maker’s Mark

Maker’s Mark® is the iconic handmade Kentucky bourbon driven by a vision for better flavor and a better world. In 1953, founders Margie and Bill Samuels, Sr. broke from tradition—burning the family’s 170-year-old recipe to create a bold, balanced bourbon made with soft red winter wheat for signature sweetness and creaminess. From the start, the Samuels went to remarkable lengths to craft uncompromisingly delicious bourbon—a perfectly unreasonable spirit that endures today. Every bottle is still hand-dipped in red wax, every barrel rotated by hand and every decision guided by the brand’s higher purpose.

Staying true to its founders’ vision, Maker’s Mark has expanded its portfolio with award-winning, super-premium expressions, including Maker’s Mark 46, Cask Strength, and Cellar Aged, as well as Private Selection, the brand’s custom barrel program. In 2025, the distillery debuted Star Hill Farm Whisky, its first-ever wheat whisky. Award-winning and the first to earn Estate Whiskey certification, Star Hill Farm Whisky inspired the Maker’s Mark Regenerative Alliance, a bold commitment to advance regenerative farming beyond its business, inviting farms, bars and restaurants to join the movement.

Maker’s Mark is proud to be both B Corp and Regenified Certified – milestones driven by the sustainability leadership at Star Hill Farm, home of the Maker’s Mark Distillery, which strives to be the most endearing, culturally rich and environmentally responsible homeplace in the world. Learn more at www.makersmark.com.

The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Foundation provides vital equipment and funds programs that help the LAFD save lives and build resilient communities. By purchasing life-saving equipment, providing mental health support, and funding other critical tools and programs, the LAFD Foundation addresses the gap between the City’s budget and LAFD needs.

Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

At Kingsbarns we’re committed to developing a classic Lowland whisky – one that’s light, fruity and floral. So, when Europe’s biggest whisky retailer decided to run a feature on the Lowlands, we were delighted to be involved. They spent time with our Distillery Manager, Peter, to taste a few of our drams and understand what makes Kingsbarns so special. We can’t wait to see the finished product and are looking forward to sharing it with you.

Discover Benedikt’s Favourite Kingsbarns

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 602: Thy 3 Year Old 2021 Shepherd of the Herd

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tries his very first Thy malt. Thy is located in the far north of Denmark, about halfway between Thyborøn and Thisted. Moreover, it’s the second release from Klubb23 in the new Shepherd of the Herd series, so this is Wooled 002 with a Danish native sheep on the label, a breed mainly found in Jutland. The whisky was distilled on 13 December 2021 and laid to rest in an octave cask of a mere 64 litres. It was bottled on 13 November 2025, so it’s one month shy of 4 years. With such an ABV, Mark expects he’ll water. Let’s get started!

https://youtu.be/GCmOFvWMhF8

NEW RELEASE

THE MACALLAN

RED COLLECTION 79 YEARS OLD

We are pleased to introduce The Macallan Red Collection 79 Years Old, the latest release to the Red Collection, a distinguished range of single malt whiskies shaped by the legacy of our founder, Alexander Reid, and key figures in the history of The Macallan.

Aged for decades in sherry seasoned oak casks, this highly limited exceptional single malt reflects an unwavering dedication to time, tradition and the mastery of whisky making. A rare and refined single malt shaped by generations of whisky makers. With notes of antique oak, heather honey and treacle toffee, this expression reveals the depth and character honed through time and craft.

 DISCOVER MORE

NATURAL COLOUR Autumn in the forest.

NOSE Resinous, sweet antique oak and fragrant peat smoke give way to rich heather honey, braised stone fruits and creamy panna cotta. There’s suggestions of dried mango, baked fig, soft citrus zests and thyme which emphasise the incredible complexity.

PALATE Elegant and integrated peat smoke fading to pineapple, bramble jam and black tea. Remarkable depth from red grape skins, cedar wood, gentle incense and treacle toffee.

FINISH A very long and intricate finish with lingering wood smoke, dark chocolate and a twist of grapefruit.

ABV 40.8%

Douglas Laing

Tormore 35 Years Old XOP x Scallywag

ABV: 46.2% 70 cL

Celebrating 75 years of Douglas Laing’s distinguished heritage, this exceptional Tormore 35 Years Old represents a masterful collaboration between the iconic Scallywag and the prestigious XOP Black series. This single malt from Tormore Distillery in the Speyside region of Scotland was distilled in May 1988 and aged in a single Sherry Butt for 35 years. It was bottled in September 2023 by Douglas Laing at natural cask strength, natural colour and no chill filtration.

£370.00

Tormore, built in 1960 on the edge of the Cairngorms in Speyside, is one of Scotland’s most striking distilleries, known for its modernist architecture and landscaped grounds. It produces a light, fruity, and gently floral style single malt, often showing notes of apple, citrus, soft malt sweetness, and a clean, crisp finish. Long used mainly for blending, Tormore’s spirit has gained more attention in recent years for its elegant, easy-drinking Speyside character and its visually iconic distillery setting.

The Distillery Reserve Collection

Some Speyside releases are rarely seen beyond the distilleries themselves. These exclusive bottlings offer a different perspective on well-known names, often showcasing unique casks and limited editions created just for visitors. The Distillery Reserve Collection brings these hard-to-find editions beyond the distillery gates, a rare chance to explore Speyside bottlings usually only available at source.

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ralfy review 1129 – Laphroaig 10yo @ 58.5%vol: (Batch 16)

Laphroaig is an iconic, heavily peated single malt Scotch whisky from the Isle of Islay, Scotland. Known for its bold, medicinal smoke, maritime notes, and a surprising, sweet finish, it is a favorite for peat lovers.