Single Malt 1st Release 22YO (((Bottled 2001)))
⏳ 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.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Smoked wild salmon, Roquefort blue cheese, high-quality dark chocolate
✨ Technical Specifications
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.
🍾 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
56.2%