Highland Whisky Festival 2023

In honour of the Highland Whisky Festival, we are opening our distillery doors for whisky lovers to explore our home on the Caithness Coast. On Friday the 22nd of September, three unique Old Pulteney distillery experiences will take place, marking the beginning of this beloved festival.

In honour of the Highland Whisky Festival, we are opening our distillery doors for whisky lovers to explore our home on the Caithness Coast.

On Friday the 22nd of September, three unique Old Pulteney distillery experiences will take place, marking the beginning of this beloved festival.

Since 1826, Old Pulteney’s superior single malts have been influenced by the brisk, North Sea air that sweeps across its maturing casks at our home in Wick, in northernmost Scotland. Each of the tours will be available exclusively on the first day of the 2023 Highland Whisky Festival, a nine-day celebration that spotlights Highland distilleries.

Ranging from £30 to £175 per person, the three whisky experiences will reveal every stage of Old Pulteney’s renowned distillation processes, commencing with the first drop of water from Loch Hempriggs and concluding with our final glimmering dram.

The Distillery Exclusive Tour provides an introduction to Old Pulteney, its remarkable distillation processes and how its coastal location influences its world-class single malts, concluding with a tasting session of three outstanding expressions: Old Pulteney 12 Year Old, Old Pulteney Pineau des Charentes and Old Pulteney Distillery Exclusive. Guests will also receive a complimentary branded rocks glass to take home.

The Festival Fleet Tour delves deeper into Old Pulteney’s history. Experienced tour guides will accompany guests through the distillery, uncovering the traditional whisky-making methods the distillery still uses to this day. This tasting includes the same three drams as the Distillery Exclusive tour, however, guests will also be treated to the prized Old Pulteney 25 Years Old, an Old Pulteney Bourbon Single Cask and Old Pulteney Sherry Single Cask, three exceptional expressions which are testament to The Maritime Malt’s enduring spirit. Departing guests will also receive a memorable parting gift: an Old Pulteney crystal malt blender glass.

The Malt Master Experience delivers an experience like no other. Distillery Manager Malcolm Waring will personally conduct a whisky masterclass, hosted in a private warehouse. VIP guests will enjoy an intimate whisky tasting, sampling the very oldest drams from the Old Pulteney core range, Old Pulteney 15 Years Old, Old Pulteney 18 Years Old and the exquisite 25 Years Old. Guests will also enjoy the recently launched Distillery exclusive, available only at the distillery and Old Pulteney’s online store. Malcolm will conclude the session with a series of truly special whiskies, including a hand-selected Old Pulteney Bourbon Single Cask, Old Pulteney Sherry Single Cask, and finally one of Malcolm’s personal favourites, selected from his own private collection. Guests will also receive a crystal malt blender glass as a final farewell.

Distillery Manager Malcolm Waring said: “I’m very pleased to announce these three remarkable new tours and experiences created specially for the Highland Whisky Festival. Old Pulteney, The Maritime Malt, embodies the Highlands’ spirit, and this is a fantastic way to celebrate our proud heritage.

“The 2023 Highland Whisky Festival will be an unmissable event, showcasing centuries of craftsmanship and tradition. We’re thrilled to contribute our story to this fantastic celebration and welcome whisky lovers to our home.”

For those eager to join one of these exceptional journeys, tickets can be purchased from our website here