Single Malt 37YO (((Bottled 2016)))
⏳ Drinking Window
As a mature, high-strength single malt, this bottle will remain in peak condition indefinitely if stored upright and away from direct light; once opened, it is best enjoyed within 1 to 2 years.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Smoked salmon, blue cheese, dark chocolate
✨ Technical Specifications
Hailing from the legendary 'ghost' distillery of Islay, this Port Ellen 37 Year Old is the highly coveted 16th Release of Diageo's Special Releases, distilled in 1978 and bottled in 2016. Port Ellen closed its doors in 1983, leaving behind a finite number of maturing casks that have since achieved mythical status among collectors. This expression represents a masterclass in slow maturation, having rested for nearly four decades in refill American oak hogsheads and European oak butts. The result is an incredibly complex, elegant spirit that marries Port Ellen's signature maritime peat smoke and coastal brine with soft leather, dried citrus peel, and delicate oak spice. It stands as a liquid monument to Islay's distilling heritage, captured just years before the distillery's historic revival in 2024.
🍾 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
55.2%