Single Malt 10th Release 31YO
⏳ Drinking Window
Ready to enjoy now; will remain stable indefinitely if stored upright in a cool, dark place.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Smoked salmon, blue cheese, dark chocolate
✨ Technical Specifications
The Port Ellen 10th Release 31 Year Old is a legendary monument to Islay's distilling heritage, distilled in 1978 during the twilight years of the original distillery's operation before its closure in 1983. Port Ellen has long been considered a 'ghost' distillery, making its surviving stocks highly coveted. This particular expression, matured for over three decades in refill American oak and European oak casks, captures the quintessential, irreplaceable character of the lost giant. It weaves a complex sensory tapestry of soft, elegant peat smoke, damp sea air, old leather, and a delicate waxy citrus sweetness. The history of Port Ellen is steeped in the rugged maritime climate of Islay's south coast, where the warehouses stood open to the salt-laden winds, slowly breathing the Atlantic air into the wood over thirty-one long years.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1825 by Alexander Ker Mackay and substantially shaped under the tenure of John Ramsay, Port Ellen stands as one of the most mythic names in Scotch whisky. Situated on the southern shoreline of Islay, the maritime climate and proximity to Loch Leorin water sources have historically lent the spirit an unmistakable coastal salinity, dry peat smoke, and refined oily texture. Mothballed in 1930 and extensively modernised upon reopening in 1967, Port Ellen closed again in 1983 during the industry-wide downturn. In the ensuing four decades of silence, remaining stocks matured in predominantly refill oak casks, yielding expressions celebrated for delicate citrus, chalky soot, and balanced coastal complexity. In 2024, owner Diageo officially reawakened the distillery, recreating its original copper pot distillation geometry with the Phoenix Stills alongside dedicated experimental units to preserve its revered historic profile while exploring contemporary single malt production.
🍷 Alcohol By Volume (ABV)
54.6%