Single Malt 16th Release 37YO Bottled 2016
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Ready to enjoy now; as a highly aged spirit, it will remain in pristine condition indefinitely if kept sealed and stored away from direct sunlight.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Smoked wild salmon, mature blue cheese, high-quality dark chocolate
✨ wine.spec_sheet
The Port Ellen 16th Release is a monumental 37-year-old single malt distilled in 1978 and bottled in 2016 as part of Diageo's highly anticipated annual Special Releases. Matured in a combination of refill American oak hogsheads and refill European oak butts, this expression represents some of the final, precious stocks from the legendary lost Islay distillery before its 1983 closure. The whisky captures the quintessential, old-school Islay character: a sophisticated interplay of damp peat smoke, coastal brine, and medicinal undertones, softened by decades of wood contact that introduced rich notes of beeswax, leather, and subtle citrus peel. It stands as a liquid monument to Scotch history, offering a sensory journey back to the golden era of traditional Islay distilling.
🍾 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.