Single Malt 17th Release 37YO (((Bottled 2017)))
⏳ Drinking Window
Ready to enjoy now; spirits do not age further in the bottle and will remain stable for decades if stored properly.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Smoked blue cheese, dark chocolate, cured wild game
✨ Technical Specifications
Hailing from the legendary 'ghost' distillery of Islay, the Port Ellen 17th Release 37 Year Old is a monument to Scotch whisky history. Distilled in 1979 and bottled in 2017 as part of Diageo's highly anticipated Special Releases, this exceptionally rare single malt represents the pinnacle of the distillery's historic craftsmanship before its closure in 1983. Matured in a combination of refill American oak hogsheads and refill European oak butts, it offers a window into a bygone era of Islay production. The spirit is revered for its complex interplay of soft peat smoke, coastal brine, old leather, and delicate citrus, capturing the hauntingly beautiful, maritime terroir of the island'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
51%