Single Malt 8th Release 29YO (((Bottled 2008)))
⏳ Drinking Window
Ready to enjoy now; spirits do not mature further in the bottle and will remain stable for decades if stored properly.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Smoked salmon, mature blue cheese, dark chocolate
✨ Technical Specifications
Distilled in 1978 and matured for 29 years until its bottling in 2008, this eighth installment of Diageo's annual Port Ellen releases is a legendary monument to Islay's distilling history. Originating from the 'silent' years of the distillery after its closure in 1983, this rare single malt has achieved mythical status among collectors. It embodies the classic, irreplaceable Port Ellen character: a profound harmony of oily peat smoke, maritime brine, soft leather, and a surprising undercurrent of lemon zest and ginger, shaped by the coastal warehouse maturation on the edge of the Atlantic.
🍾 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.
🍇 Base Material
Malted Barley
🍷 ABV
53.8%