Single Malt 17th Release 37 YO 1978
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Ready to enjoy now; as a distilled spirit, it does not mature further in the bottle and will remain in peak condition indefinitely if stored away from direct sunlight and heat.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Blue cheese, dark chocolate, smoked wild salmon
✨ wine.spec_sheet
Port Ellen's 17th Special Release is a legendary 37-year-old single malt distilled in 1978, just five years before the iconic Islay distillery fell silent in 1983. This bottling represents the pinnacle of Scotland's 'ghost' distilleries, capturing a bygone era of traditional Scotch production. Matured in a combination of refill American oak hogsheads and refill European oak butts, it showcases a remarkably complex, elegant, and gently fading peat smoke profile. The historic Port Ellen distillery, situated on the south coast of Islay, was renowned for its maritime character, deeply influenced by the damp, salty sea breezes of the Atlantic. This release is highly revered by collectors as one of the final remaining stocks from the original distillery run, blending soft peat smoke, old leather, citrus peel, and a distinct coastal salinity.
🍾 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.