Old Pulteney has announced Polaris, a 47-year-old single malt whisky which the distillery describes as "incredibly rare". The whisky becomes the oldest-ever release from the distillery. 

The "one-of-a-kind" whisky will be exclusively available via the Distillers One of One charity auction, which will be held for the third time later this year.

Old Pulteney says that Polaris, which is named for the North Star, pays homage to landscape, people, and heritage of Wick. The whisky was matured for four decades in American oak ex-bourbon casks, before a further seven years in a single first-fill Spanish oak butt. 

Malcolm Waring, distillery manager at Pulteney Distillery, said: "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.

He added: "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."

Sharing his tasting notes for Polaris, whisky writer and expert Dave Broom said: "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."

Old Pulteney has collaborated with local artisans to create a bottle and presentation casing for the one-off release. The bottle was designed and hand-blown by Tain-based glass merchant Glasstorm, with a rippled effect intended to evoke the North Sea's "tempestuous waters". 

For the outer casing, copper and silver were integrated into slate by local jeweller Lucy Woodley. At the base of the sculpture is a copper disc reclaimed from an Old Pulteney still. Waring said that the copper connects the 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."

One 1.5-litre bottle of the Old Pulteney Polaris has been created, along with a 100ml tasting sample. The bottle and sample will be listen as part of the Distillers One of One charity auction on Friday 10 October 2025. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Distiller's Charity's Youth Action Fund, which supports young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in Scotland.

For the 2023 Distillers One of One charity auction, Old Pulteney released Bow Wave, a 45-year-old single malt that was also created in collaboration with Woodley and Glasstorm. 

For more information about the Distillers One of One auction, visit www.distillersoneofone.com.