Port Ellen Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Port Ellen Scotch Whisky

Distillery Information

Founded in 1825 by Alexander Mackay

Location Islay region South shore district

Water source Leorin Lochs

Mothballed in 1983 equipment believed to be dismantled and removed

Port Ellen Scotch Whisky Distillery History

Located 1 mile west of Laphroig the distillery was founded in 1825 by Alexander Mackay shortly afterwards became bankrupt. The distillery remained in the Mackay

Family.

In 1836 the distillery was sold to John Ramsay. He pioneered export to the USA, developed the spirit safe and persuaded the government to allow Islay whiskies to be bonded free of duty.

Also under John Ramsey the distillery was the location of some of the earliest experiments into continuous distillation with both Stein and Coffey, Originators of Grain whisky distillation.

Port Ellen Distillery Co. Ltd acquired the distillery in 1920. They in turn were taken over by DCL in 1927and subsequently mothballed in the 1930 slump in trade.

It was reopened in 1967 by DCL (present owners) the number of stills doubled to four.

A Large malting facility was built opposite the distillery in 1973

The distillery was mothballed in the great whisky cull of 1983.

The site is now warehousing for DCLs' other Islay distilleries. It is also home of a large malt plant, which supplies the remaining distilleries on the island, thanks to an official agreement signed to secure employment for the island’s workforce.

Port Ellen has been closed for 24 years so bottlings of this rare and Iconic Islay malt are becoming very short in supply.

Lightly phenolic, peat smoke with iodine, Gentler than the other 3 southshore distilleries. Complex, oily, peppery, salty, herbal, medicinal, clean and firm.

Port Ellen Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Distillery Bottlings

Annual releases

Port Ellen 22 years old 1978 - 56.2% 6000 bottles released 2001

Port Ellen 22 years old 1979 - 57.3% 6000 bottles released 2001

Port Ellen 24 years old 1978 - 59.4% 12000 bottles released 2002

Port Ellen 25 years old 1978 - 56.2% 5100 bottles released 2004

Port Ellen 25 years old 1979 - 57.4% 5280 bottles released 2005

Port Ellen 27 years old 1978 - 54.2% 4560 bottles released 2006

Port Ellen 28 years old - 53.8% 5274 bottles released 2007

Port Ellen 29 years old 1979 - 55.3% 6618 bottles released 2008

Rare Malts Selection

Port Ellen Aged 20 years 1978 60.9% Rare Malts Selection

released 1998

Port Ellen Aged 22 years 1978 60.5% Rare Malts Selection

released 2000

Port Ellen Single Malt Scotch Whisky 22 year old 1978 -70cl Rare Malts Selection

Colour: Gold

Starts with arousing seaweed aromas - “like walking on the beach” - The light firm body style reveals smooth sea salt, crusty bread flavours, and a sweetly salty, powerful long and complex finish.

Port Ellen Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Independent Bottlings 

Adelphi,

Berry's Own Selection

Blackadder

Bladnoch Distillery

Cadenhead’s

Chieftain's (Ian Mcleod)

Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)

Dewar Rattery

Dun Bheagan (Ian McLeod),

Norse Cask (Denmark)

Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing),

Platinum Old & Rare (Douglas Laing),

Provenance (Douglas Laing)

Scotts Selection (Speyside Distillers)

Un-Chill Filtered (Signatory).

Port Ellen Single Malt Whisky 24 year old Provenance 46%, 70cl

Provenance bottling by Douglas Laing. Single Cask.DMG Ref: 4127.

The "Final Vintage" in its Last Season of Distillation.

On the nose is an immediate wall of peat, syacked beach-side with clean fresh sea-salty air in abundance.

Sweet on the palate initially , it moves through different phases of vanillia, phenols, tannins and gristy quality to some latesoft chewed leather - replicated on the finish plus a little extra pepperiness iodine, and tarry character. (F)

Published 8 times a year Whisky Magazine is the perfect complement to the dram in your glass. Every issue brings you fascinating articles on the art, science and romance of the 'water of life', plus page after page of tasting notes

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