Old Pulteney Polaris, the exceptionally rare 47-year old single malt, achieves £62,500 at Distillers One of One Charity Auction – Scotch Whisky News
Old Pulteney Polaris, the exceptionally rare 47-year old single malt, achieves £62,500 at Distillers One of One Charity Auction
Whisky marks the first exciting announcement from Old Pulteney as the iconic distillery prepares to celebrate 200 years of industrial craftsmanship in 2026
International Beverage has revealed that Old Pulteney’s oldest-every whisky release, Polaris – a one-of-a-kind 47-year-old single malt – has achieved a value of £62,500 at the Distillers One of One Charity Auction.
Exceeding its highest pre-sale estimate (£26,000 – £40,000) and raising vital funds for The Distillers’ Charity, the sale of this remarkable whisky represents a momentous milestone for this iconic distillery as it prepares to celebrate its 200th anniversary in 2026.
Taking its name from the steadfast North Star, Old Pulteney Polaris was expertly crafted in partnership with local artisans and pays homage to Old Pulteney’s home in Wick on the far north coast of Scotland. Designed and created by Tain-based glass merchant, Glasstorm, this exceptionally rare whisky is presented within a striking 1.5L hand-blown blue glass bottle featuring inciso cuts that evoke the crashing waves of the North Sea. The art piece is encased in dramatic Caithness Slate from Norse Stone, representing the enduring cliffs found on the windswept coastline that surround the Maritime Malt’s hometown.
Further enhancing the rarity of this one-of-a-kind masterpiece, copper and silver have been masterfully integrated by local jeweller, Lucy Woodley. A hidden copper disc at the base of the sculpture has been carefully reclaimed from an Old Pulteney still, offering the winning bidder an unprecedented opportunity to own a piece of Old Pulteney’s heritage.
Distilled and aged at Old Pulteney’s home in Wick, this exceptionally rare 47-year-old single malt was rested in American oak ex-bourbon casks for four decades before an extended period of refinement in a carefully selected first-fill Spanish oak butt for an additional seven years. With an ABV of 43.6%, the result is a whisky of remarkable maritime character, elegant complexity and unrivalled depth.
Sarah Burgess, Master of Whisky Creation at International Beverage said: ‘Aged for 47 years, Old Pulteney Polaris is the distillery’s oldest release to date and pays tribute to Old Pulteney’s hometown of Wick. A celebration of the people and craftsmanship that shape the Maritime Malt, we were extremely proud to play our part in raising such an impressive sum for The Distillers’ Charity and the Youth Action Fund. Congratulations go to everyone involved in its creation, the Distillers One of One team for staging another momentous day for the Scotch whisky industry, and the new owner of Polaris who owns this very special piece of Old Pulteney history.’
The biennial Distillers One of One is one of the most prestigious events in the whisky world, bringing together rare, one-off creations from leading distilleries. This year’s auction, held on 10th October 2025 at Scotland’s Hopetoun House, offered bidders the only opportunity to own the truly exceptional Polaris showpiece (1.5L), complete with a 100ml tasting sample.
Proceeds from the sale of Old Pulteney Polaris will go directly to The Distillers’ Charity, with a proud focus on its principal beneficiary, the Youth Action Fund. This initiative supports projects across Scotland that provide education, training and employment opportunities for disadvantaged young people, ensuring this extraordinary whisky has an impact far beyond the walls of the distillery.
About 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 whisky 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
About The Distillers One of One® Auction
One of One® and Distillers One of One® are registered trademarks of The Distillers’ Charity
The Distillers One of One Auction is a biennial series of ultra-rare whisky auctions. The Auctions have raised a total of £4.3 million for charitable purposes since 2021 and uniquely, 100% of the fundraising goes to grant making, with 90% of that amount going to the Youth Action Fund and 10% going to The Distillers’ Charity for its general charitable purposes.
With a total of eighty-one unique lots created across the past two auctions, 37 of which broke world sales records for the distilleries in question, the Distillers One of One has earned its reputation as a once-in-a-lifetime experience for collectors. Each lot is imbued with the spirit of craftsmanship and exclusivity, representing the pinnacle of Scotch whisky. No two bottles are the same, and no lot will ever be recreated – a powerful draw for the most discerning collectors.
The Distillers One of One® is a trading name of The Distillers’ Ventures Limited, a company registered in England & Wales under company number 13264121 and registered office at 1 The Sanctuary, Westminster, London SW1P 3JT
