Old Pulteney Huddart Single Malt Whisky Review: From the ‘Anaconda’ Stills

Since the early 19th century, Old Pulteney has been making whisky at one of the northernmost points of the Scottish mainland. This is the realm of hardy Highlanders, squaring up to fierce storms and a rugged sea. Head a little further north and you reach Orkney, home to the famed Highland Park whisky.

Old Pulteney typically produces only unpeated whisky, but in this case peat does make an appearance. Don’t expect briny, iodine-heavy maritime punch: the peat here is beautifully understated.

Huddart might sound like a Gaelic word steeped in myth, but it’s simply the name of the street where the distillery is located.

High in the Highlands, Old Pulteney sits close to the sea in the town of Wick. In the past, the area was only accessible by boat, so casks often waited in the harbor for long stretches before shipment. That salty sea air added character to the whisky, earning Old Pulteney the nickname the Maritime Malt.

The copper pot stills used here are unusual too. They’re extremely short and stout, and are famously known as the Anaconda Stills.

Historically, the distillery mainly supplied whisky for blends, likely including Dewar’s. In the 1990s, Old Pulteney launched its own single malts, including 12- and 18-year-old expressions. The house style is renowned for its briny, citrus and honeyed notes, but now there’s a peated twist: Huddart.

Old Pulteney’s bottle follows the same design as the other editions in the range. While it’s the “standard” bottle, it certainly has character. Look closely and you’ll see the neck echoes the shape of a pot still. Those are the kinds of subtle details that quietly elevate the whisky’s presence.

The whisky carries a subtle, peaty smokiness achieved by first maturing in ex-bourbon casks and then finishing in casks that previously held peated whisky. Some say those are peated anCnoc casks.

In the glass it’s golden yellow, with a pleasantly sweet nose. On the palate it drinks like a whisky in perfect harmony, flavors meld together with the poise you might expect from a premium blend.

Expect vanilla, butter, and a fruity, smoky sweetness. The gentle peat adds just a touch more bite and complexity. Bottled at 46% alcohol by volume (ABV), it packs a solid flavor. A fine experiment from Old Pulteney and now part of the distillery’s core range.

Old Pulteney Huddart is highly drinkable for a wide audience and a great introduction for whisky lovers who are new to peated styles or who don’t usually go for full-on peat monsters.

+ A well-rounded Highland whisky with an interesting flavor profile

+ An entry point for newcomers to peated whisky

- A touch too polite for seasoned whisky fans seeking more adventure