Close Menu
News

Port Ellen 40 Years Old joins Untold Stories

Diageo has unveiled the second limited edition whisky in the Port Ellen Untold Stories series – Port Ellen 40 Years Old.

Only 1,380 bottles of Port Ellen 40 Years Old have been created for global release

Only 1,380 bottles of the 40-year-old single malt will be made available globally from specialist retailers, priced at RRP £6,500 (US$7,942) per 700ml. The whisky has been bottled at cask strength, 50.9% ABV.

The Port Ellen 40 Years Old was created out of nine ‘rogue’ casks. It was unveiled at the first virtual edition of the Fèis Ìle festival, which included an online whisky tasting led by future Port Ellen master distiller Georgie Crawford.

Today’s master blender, Dr Craig Wilson, selected the nine casks to create the 40-year-old bottling, which comprised four American oak hogsheads and five European oak butts.

Tasting notes include aromas of burnt tangerine skin, mild smoke, roasted coffee and ripe peach skin. The palate is said to have “much more pronounced” bonfire smoke, pipe tobacco, leather and wood spice, leading to a long, wispy smoke finish.

Diageo will donate 20 signed bottles, including the 40-year-old Port Ellen and bottles from Islay distilleries Lagavulin and Caol Ila, to the Islay Fèis Ìle Committee.

The 20 bottles are worth a combined value of £10,000, which will go towards supporting fundraising activities to support for Islay-based charities and community groups.

Diageo was granted planning permission to restore its silent Port Ellen distillery on Islay in January this year and intends to recreate the original spirit and ‘alternative’ whisky styles.

Islay’s Fèis Ìle 2020 was cancelled in March due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

It looks like you're in Asia, would you like to be redirected to the Drinks Business Asia edition?

Yes, take me to the Asia edition No