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Tourinfo:
Port Ellen Maltings can be visited only during the annual Islay Malt Whisky Festival and by special arrangement.
Current owner: Diageo
Manager: Peter Campbell
Port Ellen History and Distillery Information
Port Ellen Distillery was founded around 1825. The distilling plant was silent from 1929 although the maltings and warehouses continued operating. Rebuilding began in spring of 1966 and completed in April 1967; it had 4 stills, initially heated by mechanical coal stoker, and later converted to steam heated coils. The distillery closed in 1983 and the bottled product has now become very collectable. The Excise Act in 1824 required the distillers to install a Spirit Safe, thereby effecting more control over the distillers. It was thought that the introduction of Spirit Safes might have a detrimental effect on the quality of spirit produced, and therefore it should be tried experimentally first, with Port Ellen chosen to carry out these trials.
Related info: Alfred Barnard's visit to Port Ellen Distillery in the 1880s
Port Ellen Maltings first started producing malt in 1974, supplying only United Distillers own distilleries, Caol Ila, Lagavulin, and Port Ellen. The malt is produced in drums, which can be likened to very large washing machine drum; the process is automatic. The maltings now supply the majority of Islay's Distilleries with their requirements, produced to their exact specifications. Tours of the maltings are by special appointment and during the Islay Whisky Festival, and are only advised for those who are particularly interested in the technicalities. A tour is also ill advised for anyone with a fear of heights.
Bottlings
Port Ellen, cult whisky, distillery closed, but yet the warehouses are still there and sealed. Will the owner Diageo present a final vintage? The last bottlings were in 2000 as part of the Rare Malts and in 2003 as a Limited Edition Numbered Bottles.
Port Ellen 1979, 22yo, Limited Edition Numbered Bottles, first release 2001, 56.2% ABV.
Port Ellen 1978, 24yo, Limited Edition Numbered Bottles, second release 2002, 59.35% ABV.
Port Ellen 1979, 24yo, Limited Edition Numbered Bottles, third release 2003, 56.2% ABV.
Port Ellen 21yo, Anniversary Bottling, 58.4% ABV. Celebration of 25 years malting at Port Ellen.
Port Ellen 20yo, Distilled 1978, Bottled 1998, Rare Malts, 60.9% ABV.
Port Ellen 22yo, Distilled 1978, Bottled 2000, Rare Malts, 60.5% ABV.
Port Ellen 11yo, Cadenhead, 64.1% ABV.
Port Ellen 1980, Connoisseurs Choice, 40% ABV.
Port Ellen 1975, 23yo, Cask Strength, Hart Brothers, 52.5% ABV.
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