Single Malt 12th Release 32YO 1979
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Ready to enjoy now; as a high-strength distilled spirit, it will remain in peak condition indefinitely when stored upright away from direct light.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Smoked salmon, blue cheese, dark chocolate
✨ wine.spec_sheet
Distilled in 1979, just four years before the legendary Port Ellen distillery fell silent in 1983, the 12th Release is a monument to Islay's golden era of whisky production. Matured for 32 years in American oak refill casks, this single malt captures the hauntingly beautiful, industrial-maritime character that made Port Ellen a mythic icon among spirits collectors. The expression weaves together the distillery's signature oily texture, soft coal smoke, damp sea salt, and a delicate thread of citrus zest. It stands as a liquid time capsule, representing a period when the distillery's output was destined for blends, unaware that these remaining casks would become some of the most coveted liquid gold in the world.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Established in 1825 by Alexander Mackay on the south coast of Islay, Scotland, Port Ellen is a legendary name in the world of spirits, revered for its deeply complex and peaty single malt Scotch whiskies. After acquisition by John Ramsay and later transitioning to Diageo, the distillery was closed in 1983, transforming its remaining maturing casks into some of the most highly coveted and collectible liquid gold in existence. Characterized by a signature profile of intense peat smoke, maritime brine, soft leather, and oily citrus, its rare vintage releases—such as the highly prized annual Diageo Special Releases—are celebrated globally by connoisseurs. In 2024, Diageo officially revived this iconic producer, restoring its historic spirit stills to continue its legacy of uncompromising Islay character.