Single Malt 13th Release 34YO (((Bottled 2013)))
⏳ Drinking Window
Ready to enjoy now; once opened, it is best consumed within 1 to 2 years to preserve its delicate aromatic profile, while unopened bottles will keep indefinitely.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Smoked salmon, mature blue cheese, dark chocolate
✨ Technical Specifications
Port Ellen is one of the most legendary 'ghost' distilleries of Islay, Scotland. Closed in 1983 during a severe downturn in the whisky industry, its remaining stocks became some of the most highly coveted liquid gold in the spirits world. The 13th Annual Release, bottled in 2013 at 34 years of age, represents a rare window into the distillery's late-1970s production. Distilled in 1978 and matured in a combination of refill American oak and refill European oak casks, this expression showcases the classic, highly sophisticated Port Ellen profile: a complex interplay of soft peat smoke, maritime brine, damp leather, and oily citrus, reflecting the rugged coastal terroir of Islay's south coast.
🍾 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.
🍷 ABV
55.0%