5 Uncommon Scotches From The Newly-Reopened Port Ellen Distillery

When Port Ellen Distillery lastly reopened in March 2024, it had been silent for over 40 years. Maybe one of many greatest losses in the course of the Eighties Whisky Loch, Port Ellen garnered a devoted cult following by way of impartial bottlings and Diageo’s Annual Releases. So, when information of a multi-million-pound refurbishment was introduced in 2017, Port Ellen followers rejoiced. 

Now, Port Ellen is lively as soon as once more. Cementing its return with the discharge of the Port Ellen Gemini, it’s clear that we will count on massive issues from the revived distillery. The query on everybody’s minds, although, is how a lot aged inventory Diageo has left from Port Ellen. Can we count on different high-age-statement releases? Or will we now have to attend for brand new inventory to mature? If it does occur to be the latter, by no means concern. There are quite a few unimaginable Port Ellen bottlings on the secondary market that you could nonetheless get your palms on, whether or not you open and drink these premium single malts, or you’re increasing your assortment. These are simply a few of them. 

Port Ellen 1978 20 Yr Outdated Uncommon Malts Choice 

BUY NOW: $2,486 

The Uncommon Malts Choice from DCL (now Diageo) was launched in 1995 particularly to showcase single malt scotches from closed distilleries beneath its portfolio. A lot of the whiskies within the assortment had been distilled within the Nineteen Sixties, 70s, and 80s and are aged over 18 years. While the sequence was discontinued in 2005, it’s nonetheless regarded extremely by collectors, who’ve over 121 bottlings from 36 distilleries to gather.

This specific whisky was distilled at Port Ellen Distillery in 1978, simply 5 years previous to the distillery’s nearer. It was bottled at 20 years previous in 1998 at a cask power of 60.90% ABV. 

Port Ellen 1979 23 Yr Outdated Wilson & Morgan Barrel Choice 

BUY NOW: $1,795

Wilson & Morgan is an Italian impartial bottler with a protracted historical past of bottling scotch, stretching again to the Nineteen Sixties. Nonetheless a household firm at the moment, the origins of Wilson & Morgan may be traced again to Treviso within the Nineteen Twenties when the grandfather of the present chairman moved there. 

Upon the choice to import scotch whisky within the Nineteen Sixties, the corporate initially centered on blended and premium blended whisky, ultimately shifting onto bottling single malts. Together with Samaroli, one other legendary Italian impartial bottler established in 1968, Wilson & Morgan grew the recognition of single malt scotch whisky and single cask bottlings on the European continent.

The Wilson & Morgan Barrel Choice sequence was established in 1992, specializing in classic single malt scotch. This Port Ellen whisky was distilled in 1979 and bottled at age 23 from single cask #6769.  

Port Ellen 1979 32 Yr Outdated eleventh Annual Launch 

BUY NOW: $2,816

For a really very long time, the Diageo Port Ellen Annual Releases had been one of many solely sources of official Port Ellen bottlings. After the distillery closed in 1983, Diageo had a backlog of aged Port Ellen shares, which they bottled and launched on an annual foundation. 

The Port Ellen Annual Releases started in 2001 with the discharge of a 1979 22 Yr Outdated. 2017 noticed the discontinuation of the sequence. This was initially an enormous loss to whisky followers. Nevertheless, it was in the identical 12 months that Diageo introduced plans to reopen the distillery, in addition to Brora within the Highlands. Hope was rekindled. 

That is the eleventh Annual Launch from the sequence. A 1979 classic, the whisky was matured for 32 years and launched to the general public in 2011 at 53.9% ABV. 

The Annual Releases have lengthy captured the pursuits of scotch whisky collectors. Constructing a group of all Annual Releases, generally referred to as a ‘vertical’, has change into one thing of a problem for collectors and buyers. 

Port Ellen 1982 Connoisseurs Alternative 

BUY NOW: $1,310 

Gordon & Macphail is, maybe, essentially the most well-known scotch impartial bottler. The agency has an in depth historical past, relationship again nearly 130 years. The Connoisseurs Alternative sequence is without doubt one of the best-known exploits from the corporate. Launched within the mid-Nineteen Sixties, the Connoisseurs Alternative vary accommodates an entire host of scotch whisky gems hailing from each area in Scotland. 

This Port Ellen whisky was distilled in 1982 and bottled by Gordon & Macphail for the Connoisseurs Alternative vary in 2001. This isn’t the one bottling of Port Ellen within the sequence, removed from it. There’s a variety of classic Connoisseurs Alternative Port Ellen on the secondary market. 

In 2023, Gordon & Macphail introduced its intentions to stop impartial bottlings. After a protracted and illustrious stint, the corporate has determined to focus its consideration on its two single malt scotch whisky distilleries: Benromach and The Cairn. While this doesn’t imply the fast cessation of bottling (Gordon & Macphail nonetheless has plenty of aged inventory to work by way of), it signifies that, ultimately, we is not going to see any additional releases from Gordon & Macphail. This may, inevitably, make bottles reminiscent of these much more precious to scotch whisky collectors. As soon as they’re gone, they’re gone, you would possibly say. 

Port Ellen 1983 25 Yr Outdated The McGibbon’s Provenance 

BUY NOW: $1,490 

Lastly, we now have this 25 12 months previous whisky, distilled within the ultimate 12 months of Port Ellen’s life (or so it was on the time). Distilled within the winter of 1983, this bottle accommodates a few of the final spirit to run off the stills at Port Ellen earlier than the distillery fell silent for over 40 years. It’s also a single cask bottling from butt #4542. 

Famed largely for its quirky golf-themed ceramic decanters, McGibbon’s & Co. is a subsidiary of one other well-known scotch impartial bottler, Douglas Laing & Co. 

The McGibbon’s Provenance sequence locations emphasis on the season during which the whisky was distilled. This can be a ‘Winter Distillation’, with different bottles from spring, summer season, and autumn additionally out there to gather. 

This bottle, specifically, is in unbelievable situation with an enviable fill degree which, finally, means you get to personal that little bit extra historic Port Ellen whisky.