Single Malt 2nd Release 24YO (((Bottled 2002)))
⏳ Drinking Window
As a highly stable, mature single malt Scotch whisky, it does not expire and can be enjoyed now or cellared indefinitely.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Smoked salmon, blue cheese, dark chocolate
✨ Technical Specifications
Port Ellen's Second Annual Special Release, distilled in 1978 and bottled in 2002 at 24 years of age, represents a legendary chapter in Islay's distilling history. Closed in 1983 during the infamous 'whisky loch' era, Port Ellen became a 'ghost' distillery, its remaining stocks slowly maturing in damp warehouses on the edge of the Atlantic. This expression captures the quintessential late-1970s distillation character: a sublime, oily texture, intense peat smoke, maritime brine, and a delicate thread of citrus and soft leather. The distillery's proximity to the sea heavily influenced these casks, infusing the spirit with a distinct coastal salinity that has made these closed-distillery bottlings some of the most sought-after liquids in the world.
🍾 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
59.35%