Single Malt 17th Release 37 YO
⏳ 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.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Blue cheese, dark chocolate, smoked wild salmon
✨ Technical Specifications
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.
🍾 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.
🍷 Alcohol By Volume (ABV)
51.0%