Old Pulteney

The distillery was founded in 1826 by James Henderson and named after the newly established Pulteneytown area of Wick. At the time it was (and still is) one of the most northerly on the Scottish mainland and, due to the lack of conventional roads, was only accessible by sea. The raw barley was brought in by boat and the whisky was then taken away by distillery workers who were also herring fishermen.

During the 19th and early 20th centuries the herring fishery boomed and Wick soon became Europe's largest herring port, attracting a huge influx of fishermen, guttermen and packers looking for work. The population of the small port town nearly quadrupled. After long shifts, the workers frequented the many pubs and licensed bars in Wick, which unfortunately for the permanent residents meant continuous drunkenness and 'indecent' behaviour that spilled over onto the streets.

In 1920, under the 1913 Temperance (Scotland) Act 1913, residents cast their votes and the port - as well as others in Scotland including Kilsyth, Kirkintilloch and Lerwick - became 'dry'. All the pubs in the town closed and in 1930 the Pulteney distillery closed.

The ban remained in force during the Second World War when many soldiers passed through needing a pint or two. Prohibition ended in 1947 and when post-war demand for whisky increased, the new owner of the business, Robert "Bertie" Cumming, decided to reopen the Pulteney Distillery and production eventually resumed in 1951.

In 1958 the distillery underwent a major refurbishment under the direction of the new owner, J&G Stodart Ltd, in which the traditional floor maltings were decommissioned - this is now the site of our visitor centre.

Today the herring fishery is long gone, but the Pulteney distillery remains steadfast. The team of distillers, led by Malcolm Waring, produce around 900,000 litres of single malt Scotch whisky a year. Their dedication to the craft embodies the heritage, spirit and heart of Wick - each one proud to produce Old Pulteney, a seaside malt whisky.