Stroma Liqueur By Old Pulteney 750ML

Stroma Liqueur By Old Pulteney 750ML is a Highland malt whisky liqueur bottled at 35% ABV (70 proof) in a 750ml bottle. It earned a Gold Medal at the 2016 International Spirits Challenge, affirming its standing among the best Scotch-based liqueurs available today.

Quick Facts: ABV: 35%  |  Origin: Highland, Scotland  |  Malt Whisky Liqueur  |  Distillery: Pulteney Distillery

Production & Heritage

Pulteney Distillery sits in the town of Wick in Caithness, making it one of the most northerly distilleries on the Scottish mainland. The distillery has a long history of producing characteristically maritime single malts, and Stroma draws its base spirit from Old Pulteney's multi-award-winning collection of Highland malt whiskies. The liqueur is blended with honey and other natural ingredients, then bottled at 35% ABV — a notably higher strength than many whisky liqueurs, which preserves greater malt character and complexity beneath the sweetness.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Malty and full-bodied with generous honey sweetness and a gentle drop of maritime salinity. Underneath, toffee and dried fruit aromas emerge with time in the glass.

Taste: The entry is sweet and immediately approachable, moving quickly into herbal and toffee-rich mid-palate flavors. Milk chocolate, orange zest, and dried fruits build through the center, balanced by rugged, slightly saline undertones that betray the whisky's coastal origins.

Finish: Warm and comforting with moderate length, the sweetness gradually recedes to reveal lingering malt and a faint herbal dryness. The finish avoids the cloying quality common in many liqueurs, thanks in part to the higher bottling strength.

How to Drink Stroma

Stroma is well-suited to sipping neat after dinner, where its honeyed warmth and malt backbone can be appreciated without dilution. Chilling it slightly or serving over a single large ice cube tempers the sweetness and brings the herbal notes forward.

In a Rusty Nail, Stroma substitutes seamlessly for Drambuie, pairing with a robust Scotch to create a richer, more coastal version of the classic. A Penicillin variation benefits from Stroma's honey and citrus character in place of the traditional honey-ginger syrup component. It also shines in a Highland Hot Toddy, where its toffee and orange zest notes amplify the warming effect of hot water and lemon.

Best For

• After-dinner sipping as a dessert course alternative
• Gifting a Scotch whisky enthusiast who appreciates Highland malts
• Introducing someone to whisky-based liqueurs with a higher-proof, less sugary option
• Building a home bar's Scotch liqueur selection alongside classic bottles

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Stroma taste like? Stroma delivers a sweet, honeyed profile layered with toffee, milk chocolate, orange zest, and dried fruits, underpinned by the coastal malt character of Old Pulteney whisky. Herbal notes and a touch of salinity add complexity beyond what most whisky liqueurs offer.

How does Stroma compare to Drambuie? Both are Scotch-based honey liqueurs, but Stroma is bottled at 35% ABV versus Drambuie's 40%, and its flavor leans more toward toffee and maritime malt rather than Drambuie's pronounced herbal and spice character. Many reviewers consider Stroma smoother and less overtly sweet, with a more prominent whisky backbone.

Is Stroma good for sipping neat? Yes — its 35% ABV and balanced sweetness make it an excellent neat pour, particularly after dinner. The higher proof relative to many liqueurs means the underlying malt whisky flavors remain clearly present.

Where is Stroma made? Stroma is produced at Pulteney Distillery in Wick, Caithness, in the Scottish Highlands. The distillery is one of the most northerly on the Scottish mainland, and the liqueur takes its name from the nearby island of Stroma in the Pentland Firth.

What foods pair well with Stroma? Dark chocolate truffles complement its toffee and cocoa notes. Aged cheddar or Stilton contrasts its sweetness with savory depth. Orange-glazed desserts mirror its citrus zest character. Shortbread amplifies the buttery, malty qualities. Smoked salmon creates an interesting interplay with Stroma's subtle maritime salinity.

What sizes does Stroma come in? Stroma Liqueur is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Stroma worth the price? Stroma positions as a mid-range whisky liqueur that punches above its price tier. Its use of award-winning Old Pulteney malt whisky as a base, combined with a Gold Medal from the 2016 International Spirits Challenge, represents strong value within the Scotch liqueur category.

Why Stroma?

Stroma stands apart from the crowded whisky liqueur field because its base spirit comes from one of Scotland's most distinctive coastal distilleries, and that origin shows up clearly in the glass. The 35% ABV bottling strength preserves more malt character than lower-proof competitors, resulting in a liqueur that genuinely tastes like whisky rather than flavored syrup. Its Gold Medal at the 2016 International Spirits Challenge and recognition at the 2015 International Wine & Spirit Competition confirm that judges agree. For anyone who finds most whisky liqueurs too sweet or one-dimensional, Stroma's balance of honey, toffee, citrus, and Highland malt salinity makes a compelling case.