Single Malt Untold Stories 39YO (((Bottled 2018)))
⏳ Drinking Window
Ready to enjoy now; will keep indefinitely when stored properly.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
blue cheese, dark chocolate, smoked salmon
✨ Technical Specifications
Hailing from the legendary 'ghost' distillery of Port Ellen on the south coast of Islay, the Untold Stories 39-Year-Old is a liquid time capsule from a bygone era. Distilled in 1978, just years before the distillery's tragic closure in 1983, this exceptionally rare single malt matured for nearly four decades in refill casks. Port Ellen's historic spirit is celebrated for its unique, industrial-maritime character, combining soft peat smoke with old leather, oily citrus, and a distinct salty sea spray. The 'Untold Stories' release represents one of the oldest and most prestigious official bottlings ever secured from the distillery's dwindling reserves, offering a profound sensory journey into the golden age of Islay distilling.
🍾 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
50.9%