Crafted with Authenticity and Heritage at its Heart
Polaris was a one‑of‑a‑kind showpiece and the rarest whisky we have ever released from our nearly 200‑year‑old distillery. This remarkable 47‑year‑old single malt Scotch whisky was made available exclusively at the biennial Distillers One of One Charity Auction in October 2025, raising vital funds in support of The Distillers’ Charity.
Taking its name from the steadfast North Star, Old Pulteney Polaris marked a bold new direction for our brand. Paying homage to our windswept home in Wick and inspired by the weathered cliffs of the far north Scottish coast, this unique showpiece was crafted with authenticity and deep‑rooted heritage at its heart. A celebration of place, people and time, Polaris honoured our industrial craftsmanship and maritime legacy.
The Making of Polaris
Expertly Designed in Partnership with Local Artisans
We designed Old Pulteney Polaris in close partnership with local artisans, crafting the piece using specialist materials sourced near our home. Elegantly presented in a striking design that captured the grandeur of the Caithness coastline, this exceptionally rare whisky was housed in a hand‑blown blue glass bottle, designed and created by Tain‑based glass merchant Glasstorm. Artistic inciso cuts created a rippled effect across the glassware, evoking the tempestuous waters of the North Sea. The piece was intricately encased within a dramatic Caithness slate structure from Norse Stone, symbolising the enduring cliffs that surround our home.
Further deepening the story of this creation was the masterful integration of copper and silver within the outer slate casing. These precious materials were seamlessly woven into the one‑off art piece by local jeweller Lucy Woodley. At the base of the sculpture, a secret copper disc—carefully retrieved from one of our stills—was revealed. Once bathed in the vapours of countless distillations, this singular element now lives on as a talisman of our legacy, offering an unprecedented opportunity to own a piece of our distillery’s heritage.
"The inspiration for Old Pulteney Polaris was born from walking along Scotland’s north-east coastline, only a stone’s throw from Wick. While exploring this beautiful, rugged coastline, we discovered amazing rocky sea stacks known locally as ‘Thirle Door Arch’ and a unique view through this strata was framed perfectly – almost like a window out to the North Sea. It was this picturesque setting that inspired the design behind Polaris."
“I couldn’t be prouder of Old Pulteney Polaris – the rarest whisky ever released from our distillery. This truly one-of-a-kind creation marks a momentous milestone for Old Pulteney. Matured for an extraordinary 47 years, Polaris is a stunning reflection of Old Pulteney’s authentic maritime character – shaped over decades by breathing in the salt-laden air, time, and tradition. This single malt was carefully selected not just on age alone, but for the remarkable depth and complexity of the whisky itself. Polaris perfectly captures the very essence of our Maritime Malt. This never-to-be-repeated release also features copper from one of Pulteney’s stills, connecting this one-off bottle not only to the whisky housed within, but to the very fabric of our distillery. It’s a rare opportunity to own a piece of our heritage. As we prepare to celebrate our distillery’s 200th anniversary in 2026, Polaris stands as both a tribute to Old Pulteney’s remarkable legacy and a symbol of the exciting new chapter ahead. It reflects where we have come from, and hints at what is yet to come.”
