Port Ellen Scotch Whisky

Port Ellen 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 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 Distillery Bottlings

Port Ellen Aged 20 years Rare Malts Selection

Annual releases

1st Edition

2nd Edition

3rd Edition

4th Edition

Port Ellen Whisky Independent Bottlings 

Adelphi,

Blackadder

Cadenhead’s

Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)

Dun Bheagan (Ian McLeod),

Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing),

Provenance (Douglas Laing)

Scotts Selection (Speyside Distillers)

Un-Chill Filtered (Signatory).

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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