Port Ellen 3rd Release

This Port Ellen, an official release, matured to 24 year old, from 1979 and bottled at 57.3%. A release of 9000 bottles. Port Ellen stood beside the bay at Port Ellen on Islay from its founding in 1825 until it was closed in 1983 and long mourned. Its last casks were laid down in 1983, a finite legacy ever since.

Made in onion shaped stills on soft Islay water, building the oily, briny style it is loved for. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, the classic wood for Port Ellen. Long ageing leaves a mellow smoke, a lanolin wax and a maritime depth. The slow loss of the angel's share, a percent or two each year, has concentrated the liquid over decades. Its warehouses by the bay, built under John Ramsay, still stand as listed buildings. The peat came from Islay's own Duich Moss, localising the whole character. For years the spirit went quietly into blends before its single malt became a legend.

Undiluted at 57.3%, it is deep and smoky. Crystallised lemon and a salty tang ride on drifting Islay peat smoke, with a thread of vanilla from the bourbon wood. A crystallised lemon and a saline tang lift the smoke. It fades on smoke, citrus and a saline tang. This is a collectable relic of a cult Islay name.