Single Malt Single Cask Hogshead No (((Bottled 2019)))
⏳ Drinking Window
Ready to enjoy now; as a mature single malt Scotch whisky, it will remain stable indefinitely if kept sealed and stored upright away from direct sunlight.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Smoked wild salmon, mature blue cheese, high-quality dark chocolate
✨ Technical Specifications
Port Ellen is a name whispered with absolute reverence among spirits collectors and connoisseurs worldwide. Closed in 1983 during the industry-wide downturn known as the 'whisky loch,' this legendary Islay distillery's remaining casks became some of the most sought-after liquid gold in existence. This ultra-rare single cask release, matured in a traditional hogshead (Cask No. 1883) and bottled in 2019, represents a liquid time capsule from Port Ellen's golden era. Over decades of quiet maturation on the windswept shores of Islay, the spirit developed an incredibly complex, deeply layered character. It beautifully marries the distillery's signature oily, industrial peat smoke and maritime brine with soft leather, beeswax, and delicate citrus notes, offering a profound sensory journey into Scotland's distilling heritage.
🍾 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 Ingredient
Malted Barley