Single Malt 1st Release 22YO Bottled 2001
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Ready to enjoy now; as a distilled spirit, it will not mature further in the bottle and can be preserved indefinitely under proper storage conditions.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Smoked wild salmon, Roquefort blue cheese, high-quality dark chocolate
✨ wine.spec_sheet
The Port Ellen 22 Year Old 1st Release, bottled in 2001, stands as a monumental milestone in spirits history, marking the very beginning of Diageo's highly anticipated annual Special Releases. Distilled in 1979, just a few years before the legendary Islay distillery was closed in 1983, this bottling captured a ghost in a bottle. For decades, Port Ellen's warehouses sat quiet on the south coast of Islay, slowly maturing what would become some of the most sought-after liquid gold in the world. This first official release showcases the classic, irreplaceable Port Ellen character: a sublime harmony of intense, oily peat smoke, maritime sea spray, damp leather, and a delicate thread of citrus and soft wax. It represents not just a whisky, but a liquid archive of Islay's distilling heritage during a golden era.
🍾 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.