The distillery was established in 1826 in the name of Sir William Pulteney, and for whom Pulteneytown is named. The distillery was the most northerly on the Scottish mainland and was quite inaccessible, except by sea, when established. Barley was brought in by sea, and the whisky was shipped out the same way. Many of the distillery workers were also employed as fishermen. The herring fishing industry is no longer part of daily life in Wick but the distillery continues to operate, producing a Highland single malt with a reputation as one of the finest available. Characteristics of the whisky are attributed to exposure to sea air during maturation. The distillery closed in 1930 due to declining trade after the local parish enforced prohibition laws but re-opened in 1951 when the vote was rescinded after the law was abolished. It is now owned by Inver House Distillers. The Pulteney site uses water from an old mill lade, constructed by Thomas Telford. This stream flows out of Loch Hempriggs, 3 or 4 kilometres to the south/southwest, and is reputed to have powered a barley mill at or near the site of the distillery.
Awards
Old Pulteney is a multi-award-winning collection of whiskies that has secured some of the top awards around the world. Including the prestigious ‘World Whisky of the Year’ in ‘Jim Murray’s 2012 Whisky Bible’ awarded to Old Pulteney 21 Years Old. Awards include: Old Pulteney 12 Years Old San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2020 - Silver International Wine & Spirits Competition 2019 - Gold - 95pts International Spirits Challenge 2019 - Silver International Wine and Spirit Competition 2018 - Silver Outstanding International Spirits Challenge 2018 - Silver Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2018 - 91 points International Spirits Challenge 2017 – Silver International Wine and Spirit Competition 2017 - Silver Outstanding International Spirits Challenge 2016 - Silver International Wine and Spirit Competition 2016 - Silver Outstanding Old Pulteney Huddart San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2020 - Silver International Spirits Competition 2019 - Silver Old Pulteney 15 Years Old San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2020 – Silver International Spirits Challenge 2019 – Gold Old Pulteney 18 Years Old San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2020 - Gold International Spirits Competition 2019 – Silver Old Pulteney 25 Years Old San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2020 - Double Gold World Whiskies Awards 2019 - Gold International Spirits Challenge 2018 - Gold International Wine and Spirit Competition – Gold Traveller’s Exclusive Old Pulteney 16 Years Old International Spirits Challenge 2019 - Silver Past awards in their collection include: International Wine & Spirits Challenge 2018 Old Pulteney 2006 Ex-Bourbon - Silver Outstanding International Wine and Spirit Competition 2017 Old Pulteney 17 Years Old – Silver International Spirits Challenge 2017 Old Pulteney 35 Years Old 2nd Release – Silver Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2017 Old Pulteney 21 Years Old - 94 points, finalist Old Pulteney Navigator - 92 points Old Pulteney Clipper - 91 points IWSC 2016 Old Pulteney 21 Years Old – Gold Old Pulteney 17 Years Old – Silver Outstanding Old Pulteney Noss Head – Silver Outstanding Old Pulteney Navigator – Silver Old Pulteney Duncansby Head - Silver International Spirits Challenge 2016 Old Pulteney 21 Years Old – Gold Old Pulteney 17 Years Old – Silver Old Pulteney Duncansby Head – Silver Old Pulteney 35 Years Old 1st Release – Silver Old Pulteney Dunnet Head - Silver Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2016 Old Pulteney Navigator – 92 points Old Pulteney 17 Years Old – 89 points World Whiskies Awards 2016 Old Pulteney 1989 - Worlds Best Single Malt Old Pulteney 17 Years Old – Silver San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2016 Old Pulteney Navigator - Silver Berlin World Spirits Competition 2016 Old Pulteney – Highland Scotch Distillery of the Year Old Pulteney Navigator - Silver
