Single Malt The Bottlers Refill Sherry Butt Cask No 1549 19YO (((Bottled 2000)))
⏳ Drinking Window
As a bottled spirit, it is fully matured and will remain in peak condition indefinitely if stored upright, cool, and away from direct sunlight.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Smoked blue cheese, dark chocolate, slow-roasted game meats
✨ Technical Specifications
This exceptionally rare single malt represents a legendary chapter in Islay's distilling history. Distilled in 1981 at the now-mythical Port Ellen distillery during its final years of original operation, this liquid was selected by the highly regarded independent bottler, 'The Bottlers'. Matured for 19 years in a single refill sherry butt (Cask No. 1549) and bottled in 2000, it captures the raw, industrial, and maritime character of Port Ellen before its closure in 1983. The refill sherry influence provides a subtle, dried-fruit sweetness and warming spice that perfectly tempers Port Ellen's signature oily peat smoke, kipper douse, and coastal brine. As a 'ghost' distillery bottling, it is a liquid time capsule of Islay 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 Material
Malted Barley
🍷 ABV
60.4%