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.

THE COUNCIL OF WHISKEY MASTERS Announces Its 2026 Master Examinations in Scotland, New Board Leadership, and Expanded Candidate Support

Pitlochry, Scottish Highlands — The Council of Whiskey Masters has announced that its annual Master Examinations will take place from 6–9 October 2026 at the Atholl Palace Hotel in Pitlochry, Scotland. Approximately 30 advanced candidates will be evaluated for the designations of Master of Scotch, Master of Bourbon, or the globally oriented Master of Whiskey.

The Master Examinations represent the highest level of professional whiskey certification, combining blind sensory evaluation with advanced knowledge of whiskey production, history, and analysis. Candidates participate from around the world after completing structured prerequisite study programs delivered remotely prior to the Master level.

The Council also announced a planned leadership transition. Monique Huston will assume the role of Chairman of the Board, succeeding former Chairmen Bernhard Schäfer, Steve Beal, and Martin Duffy, who all remain actively involved as Chairmen Emeritus and examiners. Huston, a Keeper of the Quaich, is Vice President of Spirits at Winebow, a leading global fine wine and spirits importer.

“I am thrilled and humbled to assume the role of Chairman of the program, raising standards across the whiskey industry through rigorous and credible education,” said Huston. “The opportunity to work with the Council at this level is a unique vantage to drive additional visibility and passion in the global whiskey community.”

The Council of Whiskey Masters comprises an international body of industry leaders, authors, master distillers, and master blenders, also including Rachel Barrie, Dave Broom, Lew Bryson, John Campbell, Alasdair Day, Michael D’Souza, Patricia Dillon, Stefan van Eycken, Andrew Faulkner, Serghios Florides, Nancy Fraley, Michael Fraser Milne, Sébastien Gavillet, Tobias Gorn, Davin deKergommeaux, Charles MacLean, Stephanie Macleod, Joseph Micallef, Ian Millar, Arthur Nägele, Eddie Nara, Fionnán O’Connor, Hans and Becky Offringa, Paul Pacult, Susan Reigler, Clay Risen, Ingvar Ronde, Marcy Rudershausen, Gavin Smith, Matt Strickland, Peggy Noe Stevens, Michael Veach, Andy Watts, and Ian Wisniewski, along with all 40 Master program graduates produced by the Council. These members play an active role in the development of the Council and its candidates.

A significant number of these Council members will serve as examiners and judges during the 2026 examination residency in Pitlochry, with Richard Paterson joining as an additional examiner.

Candidates preparing for the examinations receive structured support, with individualized mentoring by current Masters, and cohort-based tasting and theory preparation led by Adam Edmonsond, plus special intensive sessions delivered by industry legends Paul Pacult, Matt Strickland and Ian Wisniewski.

Edmonsond, a Master of Whiskey, noted: “The level of preparation now available to candidates is exceptional. Practically all past program graduates are involved in the process and are now taking responsibility for the next generation. It is a unique strength of our organization.”

“The Master credential is intended to signify genuine depth of knowledge, advancing the careers of our students based on true merit” said Jörn Kleinhans, Founder of the Council of Whiskey Masters. “All program participants commit to objective mastery across the full scope of whiskey.”

More information on certification pathways and enrollment is available at www.whiskeywasters.org.

What is the Islay Festival?

The Hebridean island of Islay is famous among whisky lovers for its dense concentration of distilleries. A large number of the most recognisable single malt producers in Scotland are crammed onto this small island off the West Coast. The first Islay Festival was in 1986, but it was a very different event to the one we enjoy today. It started out as a celebration of Hebridean culture, with dancing, music, drama, walks around the island, talks about Islay’s history and a single whisky tasting.

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Bruadar launches beekeeping support toolkit to mark World Bee Day with Denrosa Apiaries

Aberargie, Scotland: 19 May 2026 To coincide with World Bee Day (Wednesday, 20th May), Perthshire-based single malt whisky liqueur Bruadar is encouraging Scots to support local beekeepers and bee-friendly initiatives with a new toolkit, while shining a spotlight on the vital role bees play in biodiversity, sustainable farming, and Scotland’s wider ecosystem.

After a surge in beekeeping searches across social media and online, Bruadar and Denrosa Apiaries have launched a ‘Beekeeping Support Toolkit’, encouraging people across Scotland to take small but meaningful actions to support pollinators and local biodiversity.

Bruadar – produced at Aberargie Distillery by Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers, has a long-term partnership with local beekeepers Denrosa Apiaries, who manage hives on-site at the distillery and produce the honey used within Bruadar liqueur. Together, the collaboration highlights the importance of supporting local honey production and protecting pollinators across Scotland.

As part of the distillery partnership, Denrosa’s bees forage the surrounding Perthshire landscape near the distillery, with the local environment directly influencing the flavour and character of the honey used in Bruadar.

Helen McGregor of Denrosa Apiaries, whose family has been involved in beekeeping since her grandfather started the company post-war in the 1940s, says the partnership is an opportunity to raise greater awareness of the importance of bees in agriculture and everyday life.

“Working with Aberargie Distillery really demonstrates true collaborative working,” said Helen. “We can have bees working the land onsite, and in return producing honey for the distillery. Also, both being family-run businesses is good, and it’s been a way of life for us for a long time.”

According to Scottish Government figures, beekeeping continues to grow across Scotland, with more than 3,000 registered beekeepers now caring for over 40,000 colonies. However, changing weather patterns and habitat loss continue to present challenges for pollinators and those working within the industry.

“The seasons are definitely changing, which is challenging for beekeepers,” Helen explained. “The weather is crucial in beekeeping, like all aspects of agriculture, and we see a changing climate presents more challenges for us.”

“People can help by planting bee-friendly flowers and having wild areas with forage for bees,” said Helen. “There are not only honeybees, but lots of varieties of wild bees that all benefit from being given the right environment to thrive in.”

Helen also believes local honey production offers consumers a stronger connection to provenance and place.

“The bees will only fly up to three miles, so you know the honey they make is right from where the hives are located,” she said. “People do seem to want to know where their products have come from, so nothing better than what has been produced right on your doorstep.”

For Bruadar, the partnership with Denrosa reflects a wider commitment to supporting local producers and celebrating the natural ingredients that make Scottish food and drink unique.

Rebecca Davidson, junior brand manager at Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers, said: “We’ve worked with Helen and the team at Denrosa Apiaries for the last three years and have seen firsthand how supporting local ecosystems has a direct impact on the environment.

“There’s been a well-documented increase in interest around beekeeping, and with more people becoming curious about how they can support bees in their own communities. Through our new beekeeping toolkit, we wanted to create something practical and accessible that encourages people to take small steps which can collectively make a big difference.

“At Bruadar, honey is at the heart of what we do, so working closely with local beekeepers at Aberargie Distillery has given us a genuine appreciation for the work involved in protecting pollinators and maintaining healthy ecosystems across Scotland.”

Helen added, “Bees are incredibly important to our environment. Their role in pollinating our plants is essential, and to be able to play a part in that is quite amazing.”

The toolkit is available below, via PDF and online via https://www.bruadarliqueur.com

BRUADAR’S BEEKEEPING SUPPORT TOOLKIT

1. Plant Bee-Friendly Flowers

Lavender, foxgloves, wildflowers and flowering herbs all provide valuable food sources for bees and pollinators.

2. Let Wild Areas Grow

Leaving small patches of grass, hedgerows or gardens to grow naturally can create vital habitats and forage areas.

3. Support Local Honey Producers

Buying local honey helps support Scottish beekeepers and sustainable local food production.

4. Reduce Pesticide Use

Avoiding excessive pesticide and chemical use can help protect bees and broader ecosystems.

5. Create Pollinator Habitats

Window boxes, gardens and community spaces can all be adapted to encourage pollinators.

6. Leave Bumblebee Nests Undisturbed

Where safe to do so, allowing wild bees to nest naturally can support local populations.

7. Learn More About Beekeeping

Joining local associations or attending beginner courses can help people better understand bee conservation. The Scottish Beekeepers Association page is a great place to start. 

8. Support Biodiversity Projects

Backing businesses and initiatives focused on sustainability and biodiversity helps create healthier environments for pollinators.

Bruadar’s Beekeeping Support Toolkit can be downloaded via https://www.bruadarliqueur.com

About Bruadar

Bruadar is a handcrafted single malt whisky liqueur infused with honey and sloe berries, made at Aberargie Distillery in Perthshire, Scotland. A modern take on traditional liqueurs, Bruadar blends the richness of Scotch whisky with natural sweetness, offering a smooth and sophisticated spirit with a story rooted in nature.

We do not often send emails like this. But Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible just reviewed our entire current range, and the result is the kind of thing we would feel slightly daft not telling you about directly.

Every whisky we make earned five-star recognition. Our Lightly Peated Cask Strength Aged 7 Years scored 95 out of 100, with Murray calling it “a masterpiece from the far north” and choosing it to open his tasting day for the year. We will take that.

Murray reviewed roughly 4,200 whiskies for this edition of the Bible. The 95-plus tier is reserved for the top 1% – or put another way, Wolfburn Cask Strength is one of the top ten whiskies in the world. Five-star recognition starts at 86, which means every single whisky we currently make is in his top tier. He gets paid by no distillery, including ours. The scores are professional, independent, and earned.

Celebrating 20 Years in Scotch Whisky

A Milestone Worth Celebrating.

Over the past two decades, I’ve had the privilege of helping shape the journey of Douglas Laing & Co., my family business that has remained fiercely independent and committed to Whisky integrity since 1948. It’s been a path defined by passion, patience, and an unwavering belief in doing things the right way.

To mark this moment, I wanted to share a Whisky that feels especially meaningful to me, one from a true family favourite distillery. Old Particular. A Family Favourite Distillery. Velvety fruitcake, treacle toffee and dark chocolate, spiced with nuts, cinnamon and clove.

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World Whisky Day Served by Loch Lomond Group

World Whisky Day is the perfect opportunity to explore whisky in new and inventive ways, unlocking fresh flavours and experiencing your favourite single malts beyond the glass.

Loch Lomond Group is showcasing its multi-award-winning Highland and Campbeltown distilleries Loch Lomond Whiskies and Glen Scotia with two flavour-forward, easy-to-make whisky cocktails to celebrate the occasion.

Loch Lomond Whiskies, based just a few miles from Scotland’s iconic Loch Lomond, is renowned for its elegant fruit, honey, and soft smoke notes, crafted using both traditional Swan-Neck and unique Straight-Neck Stills, and matured in expertly prepared casks from its onsite cooperage.

Glen Scotia, one of only three surviving Campbeltown distilleries, continues to champion centuries-old methods with its small team of experts in original stillrooms and dunnage warehouses, producing distinctive maritime inspired whiskies with big Campbeltown character that have made big waves around the world.

The Turn by Loch Lomond Whiskies

A halfway-style cocktail inspired by the halfway point of a round of golf, ‘The Turn’ is a refreshing serve that celebrates Loch Lomond Whiskies’ long-standing partnership with The Open.

It features Loch Lomond 12 Year Old which showcases the distillery’s signature style, delivering notes of peach and pear, layered with vanilla sweetness and a gentle hint of smoke.

Ingredients:

• 35ml of Loch Lomond 12 Year Old
• Five mint leaves
• Three lime wedges
• Ginger ale or ginger beer

Method:

Fill a tall glass with ice, add Loch Lomond 12 Year Old, the mint leaves and lime wedges and top up with ginger ale or ginger beer.

Loch Lomond 12 Year Old is available HERE

Neptune’s Cargo by Glen Scotia

Inspired by The Neptune, a rum-laden ship seized off Sanda Island in 1769 bringing tropical spirit to Campbeltown’s shores.

It features Glen Scotia Double Cask Rum Finish, an exotic dram for whisky explorers. Matured in American oak casks before being finished in Guyanese demerara rum barrels creates a single malt filled with notes of cooked sugar, molasses and tropical fruits.

Ingredients:

• 50ml of Glen Scotia Double Cask Rum Finish
• 50ml of fresh pineapple juice
• 10ml of fresh lime juice
• 60-80ml of soda water

Method:

Fill a tall glass with ice, pour in Glen Scotia Double Cask Rum Finish, pineapple and lime juice, and top with high-quality soda water. Garnish with pineapple leaf.

Glen Scotia Double Cask  Rum is available HERE

About Loch Lomond Group  

Loch Lomond Group is an independent distiller based in Alexandria and is home to several award-winning brands that are sold in more than 125 countries worldwide. Known for its innovative production methods such as unique straight-neck stills, in-house cooperage and versatile distillation techniques, the group produces a diverse range of single malts, single grains and blends.  

About Loch Lomond Whiskies 

Loch Lomond Whiskies is an award-winning, independent Scotch whisky distiller which has been producing the finest single malt whiskies since 1814. As a Highland malt, it is part of the largest and most diverse whisky-making region in Scotland.

Located only a few miles from the famous loch, the distillery has a whisky-making capability like no other, using a combination of traditional swan-neck and its signature straight-neck-stills, which are unique to Loch Lomond Whiskies. The straight-neck stills give Master Blender Michael Henry greater control over the distillation process, allowing him to carefully manipulate the

flavour profile of each whisky, and providing a signature fruit, honey and soft smoke flavour profile.

Loch Lomond Whiskies is one of only four distillers in Scotland to have its own onsite cooperage, ensuring that barrel repairs and charring are carried out to an exacting standard, so every cask is perfect for maturing whisky.

About Glen Scotia 

Distiller Glen Scotia has been producing single malt whisky in Campbeltown since 1832 and is one of three surviving distilleries in Campbeltown. Producing peated and non-peated whiskies, the distillery still maintains much of its original design, including the stillroom and the dunnage warehouse dating from the 1830s. To this day, the distillery team follow in the footsteps of their founders, using traditional methods, and carefully creating the subtly maritime Campbeltown style the brand has become world-famous for.

Our distillery in Stourton was named Best English Whisky Distillery. Given the tough competition from an ever-growing field of English distilleries, we couldn’t be more delighted. Join one of our daily tours to explore our distillery – take a look behind-the-scenes and enjoy a taste of our award-winning spirits.

VISIT OUR DISTILLERY

RAISING A DRAM TO SPIRIT OF SPEYSIDE WHISKY FESTIVAL’S 

RECORD-BREAKING YEAR

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival has announced over £500k of sales for the first time in its history.  Almost 60 events were completely sold out on day one, including the renowned ceilidh on Friday night.

Celebrating its 27th anniversary, Speyside is widely regarded as the spiritual home of whisky, with a third of the distilleries. Established as one of the world’s largest showcases of whisky, partner members grew and helped promote over 600 events across 6 days, from 29th April, contributing millions to the local economy.

On launch day back in February, nearly 7,000 tickets were sold with visitors descending on Speyside from all over the globe and contributing to over 60% of ticket sales.  Customers from Mexico, Scandinavia, the Netherlands and Canada showcased the diversity of geographic locations.

With over 600 events, the festival is a time when a number of distilleries, that normally don’t open their doors, invite visitors to explore their facilities, making it a unique experience for festival goers.  12 distilleries including Tormore, Craigellachie and Dalmunach welcomed visitors behind closed doors and proved to be some of the most popular events.  Highlights also included a diversity of events.  A falconry display with Tormore, a canoe trip down the River Spey and Glenlivet hosted a silent disco where guests could also enjoy expressions of their 12-year-old single malt.

Chairman of the Festival, Henry Angus said, “There has never been a more important year for us to support the whisky sector.  With whisky sales declining, but festival sales increasing, our ability to draw thousands of visitors to Speyside is vital to the local economy.  We’re extremely proud to have broken all records again this year and to prove that we are creating a world-class calendar of events with wide appeal.  The festival has become an old friend to so many year after year.  There are some incredible opportunities, some of which are unique, leaving visitors to feel like they’ve been part of something truly magical.  There’s nothing quite like it.”

Spirit of Speyside organisers have also announced that Distilled, the food and drink festival normally held annually is back after a hiatus this September.  Bringing together top producers from Speyside region it will showcase local whisky, gin, beer, and food, offering tastings, masterclasses, and experiences.  Due to be held at UHI Moray in Elgin on Friday 11th & Saturday 12th September, 2026.

FESTIVAL WINNERS –  

Ambassador – David Craig

International Ambassador – Matthew Cordiner, Bacardi Global Brands

Unsung Heroes – Raymond Davidson, Glencairn Glass, Angela McOwan, Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival

Spirit of Speyside Award – David Stewart, William Grant & Sons

Whisky Award winners:

Gold, 12 years old and under: Aberlour 12 YO
Gold, 13–17 years: Craigellachie 17 YO – Spirit of Speyside Single Cask Limited Edition
Gold, 18 years and over: Tamdhu 21 YO
Gold, non-age statement: Tamdhu Distinction III Speyside Single Malt
Overall winner, 2026 Spirit of Speyside Whisky Awards: Tamdhu 21 YO

www.spiritofspeyside.com