Port Ellen Commemorates 200 Years with Rare 42-Year-Old Single Malt

The renowned and recently revived Islay distillery Port Ellen will celebrate its 200th anniversary in 2025. To mark this bicentennial, Port Ellen is releasing a special 42-year-old single malt Scotch whisky. This rare bottling is strictly limited to only 150 bottles, distilled in 1983 shortly before the distillery's closure.

This Port Ellen 200th Anniversary Edition whisky has been matured for over four decades in European oak casks, embodying the distillery's rich history and essence. Lead Blender Aimée Morrison describes the dram as an exceptional spirit, perfectly capturing the soul of Port Ellen; its complex smoky character entwined with underlying berry notes, creating depth and harmony.

According to official tasting notes, the whisky offers a beautiful balance between the sweetness of caramelized brown sugar and the freshness of red berries and peeled red apple skin. The long finish lingers with smoky notes, leaving hints of black peppercorns and baked berries.

This anniversary release marks the first limited edition whisky from Port Ellen since its reopening in 2023, ending a closure of over 40 years. The distillery, while retaining its signature smoky profile, is also rebranding for the future, showcasing a new era.

Additionally, artist Ini Archibong will create a new installation at the Islay distillery. The distillery also continues its Atlas of Smoke initiative, utilizing cutting-edge equipment to explore the multifaceted dimensions of smoky flavors.

2025-09-03

Source: https://thewhiskeywash.com/whiskey-news/port-ellen-celebrates-200th-anniversary-with-42-year-old-single-malt/