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.
Malcolm Waring, Distillery Manager at Pulteney Distillery, said: “Old Pulteney Polaris pays homage to our hometown of Wick and is a celebration of the people, place and craftsmanship that shape the Maritime Malt. From the partnerships with local artisans through to the delicate care that went into crafting the whisky itself, this never-to-be-repeated whisky is not just a reflection of 47 years of maturation – it is a piece of Old Pulteney’s history and a symbol of the exciting chapter ahead as we look towards our milestone anniversary next year.”
Old Pulteney Polaris marks the first of the exciting announcements from Old Pulteney as the iconic distillery prepares to celebrate 200 years of honouring industrial craftsmanship in 2026.
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.
