Single Malt 12th Release 32YO
⏳ 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.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Smoked salmon, blue cheese, dark chocolate
✨ Technical Specifications
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.
🍾 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.
🍇 Base Ingredient
Malted Barley
🍷 Alcohol By Volume (ABV)
52.5%