Old Pulteney is a single malt Scotch whisky produced at Pulteney Distillery, founded in 1826 by James Henderson in the Pulteneytown area of Wick, on the far north coast of Scotland. The distillery takes its name from Sir William Pulteney, who developed the adjacent Pulteneytown harbour — a settlement designed by renowned engineer Thomas Telford to support Wick's thriving herring fishing industry. Situated on the Scottish mainland, Pulteney holds the distinction of being the most northerly mainland distillery in Scotland, and in its early days was so remote it could only be reached by sea. Old Pulteney is renowned for its maritime character, often described as the "Maritime Malt." The whisky's proximity to the North Sea lends it a distinctive briny, coastal quality, balanced with notes of fruit, honey, and a gentle sweetness. The distillery closed for 21 years between 1930 and 1951 before resuming production, and has since passed through the ownership of several major industry players, including Buchanan-Dewar, DCL, Hiram Walker, and Allied Domecq. Today it continues to produce a well-regarded range of aged expressions, including its celebrated 40 Years Old bottling — one of the oldest and rarest releases from the distillery.