Port Ellen marks bicentenary with anniversary edition
Diageo-owned Port Ellen Distillery has released a 42-year-old whisky in celebration of its 200th anniversary.
The whisky was distilled in 1983 and notably is the first limited bottling the distillery has launched since it was re-opened by Diageo in March last year.
Just 150 bottles will be available for purchase in October, priced at £7,500 (US$10,000) each.
Before reopening its doors to the public last year, the distillery had been ‘silent’ since 1983. Diageo put £185 million (US$235m) into the restoration of the Islay site and ahead of reopening, released a set of two 44-year-old Scotch whiskies called Port Ellen Gemini.
Regarding The Port Ellen 200th Anniversary Edition, master blender Aimée Morrison said the whisky “embodies the essence” of the brand, and that drinkers will find “smoke mingled with underlying berry flavours” with notes of “caramelising brown sugars balanced with red berries and peeled red apple skin” and “smoke which climbs into the distance”.
The finish is said to reveal smoke, which ‘climbs into the distance’, leaving a traces of black peppercorn and a hint of baking brambles.
The whisky can be purchased from October at Port Ellen’s Islay distillery by appointment, or by enquiring with the private client team in Scotland.
As part of its 200th anniversary celebrations, the Islay producer will reveal a new installation by American-Nigerian artist Ini Archibong at its distillery soon, while last month it unveiled its oldest single malt to date: Prism, which is housed in a sculptural artwork and has been donated to the Sotheby’s Distillers’ One of One charity auction. It is expected to fetch up to £300,000 (US$406,000) when it goes under the hammer in October.
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