Single Malt 7th Release 28YO (((Bottled 2007)))
⏳ Drinking Window
Ready to enjoy now; single malt Scotch whisky does not mature further in the bottle and can be preserved for decades if stored properly.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
blue cheese, dark chocolate, smoked oysters
✨ Technical Specifications
Port Ellen is one of the most legendary 'ghost' distilleries of Scotland. Closed in 1983 during a historic downturn in the whisky industry, its remaining stocks became legendary. The 7th Release, distilled in 1979 and matured for 28 years before its release in 2007 as part of Diageo's Special Releases, represents the pinnacle of Islay's classic peat profile. It captures a bygone era of production, featuring a complex interplay of oily peat smoke, coastal brine, soft leather, and citrus zest. The spirit's character is deeply tied to the damp, salty warehouses on the Islay coast where it rested for nearly three decades.
🍾 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
53.8%