International Beverage has today (Thursday, 17th July) revealed Old Pulteney Polaris—its most exceptional Old Pulteney single malt Scotch whisky to date—crafted exclusively for the 2025 Distillers One of One charity auction.

This one-of-a-kind creation showcases a rare 47-year-old expression of the famed Maritime Malt, making it the oldest release in Old Pulteney’s history. Valued between £26,000 and £40,000, Polaris is encased in an extraordinary sculpture of Caithness slate and silver, both native to the distillery’s rugged coastal home in Wick. Completing the design is a hidden copper disc reclaimed from Old Pulteney’s stills, a secret tribute to its storied craft.

Taking its name from Polaris, the North Star, this release signals a bold, bright future as Old Pulteney approaches its landmark 200th anniversary in 2026—a year set to include global celebrations and an ambitious programme of new releases.

When the hammer falls at this year’s Distillers One of One charity auction at Hopetoun House, Edinburgh, on 10th October, Polaris will offer one fortunate bidder an unrepeatable piece of Old Pulteney history. This follows the distillery’s 2023 contribution, Bow Wave, which raised nearly £70,000 for the Youth Action Fund, helping transform the lives of young people in Scotland.

The Whisky

Distilled and matured at Old Pulteney’s windswept home in Wick, this 47-year-old single malt captures the true spirit of its maritime origins. Aged 40 years in American oak casks, then finished for seven years in a single first-fill Spanish oak butt, the whisky offers a perfectly balanced, elegantly complex profile:

Presented in a 1.5-litre decanter at 43.6% ABV, the lot also includes a 100ml tasting sample.

Producer's Tasting Notes:

Nose: Signature aromas of sea spray that the Maritime Malt is renowned for..

Taste: Delicate vanilla and sweet cinnamon pastry come to the fore with a smooth, fine-textured taste featuring Scottish tablet and dark chocolate.

Finish: Ending with a finish of clotted cream.

The Bottle

A tribute to the meticulous craftsmanship behind every drop of Old Pulteney, the Polaris decanter is said to be a true work of art, created in collaboration with local artisans, including renowned Tain-based glass specialists Glasstorm.

The deep blue glass vessel, inspired by the crashing waves of the Caithness coast, features intricate inciso cuts that evoke the movement of water across its rippled surface. Surrounding the bottle is Caithness slate, a powerful symbol of the enduring cliffs that guard Scotland’s northern shoreline.

A smooth front panel reveals the whisky’s rich mahogany hue, offering a striking contrast to the rugged stone exterior. At the base, threads of native silver flow like ocean currents, beautifully entwined with reclaimed copper cords, echoing the maritime spirit and industrial heritage at the heart of Old Pulteney.

Renowned whisky expert, Dave Broom, praises its remarkable taste: "This deep amber whisky opens with a captivating nose of luxurious stone fruits, citrus zest, and a complex evolution toward oxidative notes like medlar and cob nut, lifted by the sensation of a cool seashore breeze. The palate is thick and waxy, mingling soft, late-harvest fruit with cedar-spiced tannins and a hint of salinity, evoking a windswept clifftop. A splash of water reveals greater mineral depth and incense-like spice, while the finish sees the return of fruit after the saltiness fades – mature and balanced."

Award-winning whisky writer, Jonny McCormick, further compliments the whisky’s incredible flavour profile: "Old Pulteney Polaris glows rich amber with burnished gold highlights. The first wave of aromas opens with a bold coastal nose of sea spray, molasses cake, nutmeg, and deep oak, before revealing layers of vanilla, espresso foam, and hints of baked apple and peppermint. On the palate, it’s silky and vibrant, with Scottish tablet, citrus peel, and a rolling wave of grilled pineapple, cherry cake, and toasted spice, all carried by a mineral backbone. The finish is indulgent and lingering, merging dark chocolate and coffee with soft oak, clotted cream, and a final lift of white chocolate and nutmeg."

Fiona Kennie, Marketing Director at International Beverage, said: "We are exceptionally proud to be sharing Old Pulteney Polaris with the word today, a project that has been a real labour of love for our team and the skilled designers and local makers in Caithness who have turned our vision into such a magnificent reality. Charity and making a difference in our community is at the heart of our business, so we are very excited to follow the progress of Polaris at this year’s Distillers One of One auction, where we hope our contribution will raise as much money as possible for such an important cause. And for whisky lovers, this is an absolute treasure and a fitting release to mark the countdown to Pulteney Distillery’s 200th milestone next year, when we will have more exciting new releases with rarity, craftsmanship and Old Pulteney’s authentic maritime character to share."

The Distillers One of One returns on 10th October 2025 and £4.3M / $5.25M has been raised for charity to date. To register interest in this auction, visit the Distillers’ One of One website.
 

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