Single Malt 2nd Release 24YO Bottled 2002
⏳ wine.drinking_window
As a highly stable, mature single malt Scotch whisky, it does not expire and can be enjoyed now or cellared indefinitely.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Smoked salmon, blue cheese, dark chocolate
✨ wine.spec_sheet
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.
🍾 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.