Port Ellen - Scotch Malt Whisky - Region: Islay
WF Distillery Ranking: Premier Cru Classé (all current rankings here)

Status: silent (1983), partly demolished - Stills: 4 (2 wash, 2 spirit) - Founded: 1825
Address: Port Ellen, Isle of Islay, PA42 7AH - Phone:
Web: - More info: Distillery Profile by MM’s Lawrence Graham

My favourite expression so far:
Port Ellen 15 yo 1969/1985 (64.7%, G&M for Intertrade)
96 points - Last tasted: August 13, 2007 (and on various occasions) - Tasting notes: here

MM Distillery profile:
As far as many people are concerned, Port Ellen is one of the great lost distilleries of Scotland. Port Ellen was founded in 1825 on the south shore of Islay by A. K. Mackay & Co. The distillery is located just a few miles west of Ardbeg, Lagavulin and Laphroaig on the 'Kildalton' coast. Between 1825 and 1836 the distillery changed hands a few times, but after John Ramsay acquired Port Ellen in 1836 it was run by him and his decendants until the distillery was sold to the Port Ellen Distillery Co. in 1920. The ownership of the distillery saw .... More on Malt Madness.

• Port Ellen 21 yo 1973/1998 'Port Ellen Maltings’ (58.4%, OB) - 061107
• Port Ellen 20 yo 1978/1998 (60.9%, UD Rare Malts) - no notes - 91
• Port Ellen 22 yo 1978/2000 (60.5%, UD Rare Malts) - no notes - 93
• Port Ellen 24 yo 1978/2002 2nd Annual Release (54.3%, OB) - 200604
• Port Ellen 24 yo 1978/2002 2nd Annual Release (59.35%, OB, 12000 bottles) - 180607
• Port Ellen 25 yo 1978/2004 4th release (56.2%, OB) - 090905
• Port Ellen 27 yo 1978/2006 (54.2%, OB, 6th Release, 4560 bottles) - 171006
• Port Ellen 29 yo 1978/2008 8th Annual Release (55.3%, OB, 6,618 bottles) - 051008
• Port Ellen 22 yo 1979/2001 ‘Annual Release’ (56.2%, OB, first release) - 210205
• Port Ellen 24 yo 1979/2003 ‘3rd Annual Release’ (57.3%, OB, 9000 bottles) - 121207
• Port Ellen 25 yo 1979/2005 ‘5th Annual Release’ (57.4%, OB, 5280 bottles) - 310506
• Port Ellen 28 yo 1979/2007 ‘7th Annual Release’ (53.8%, OB, 5274 bottles) - 121207
• Port Ellen 30 yo 1979/2009 '9th release' (57.7%, OB, 5,916 bottles) - 241109
• Port Ellen 1981/2008 ‘Feis Ile 2008’ (54.7%, OB, cask #1301) - 240608

• Port Ellen 24 yo 1975/1999 (56%, Adelphi, cask #1765, 282 bottles) - 060607
• Port Ellen 24 yo 1975/1999 (57.1%, Adelphi) - no notes - 82

• Port Ellen 25yo 1982/2007 (46%, Berry Bros & Rudd, cask #2469) - 250607
• Port Ellen 1982/2008 (46%, Berry Bros, casks #2030-2035) - 070508

• Port Ellen 26 yo 1979/2005 (56,9%, Blackadder Raw Cask, Sherry cask#2015, 497 bottles) - 141206
• Port Ellen 21 yo 1983/2004 (62.7%, Blackadder Raw Cask, sherry butt #2734, 563 bottles) - 041007

• Port Ellen 19 yo 1981/2000 (59.4%, The Bottlers, cask #1550) - 310506
• Port Ellen 19 yo 1982/2001 (59.5%, The Bottlers, cask #573) - no notes - 86
• Port Ellen 19 yo 1982/2001 (61.7%, The Bottlers, cask #570) - no notes - 93

• Port Ellen 12 yo 1981/1993 (64.5%, Cadenhead) - 230106
• Port Ellen 12 yo 1981/1993 (63.8%, Cadenhead's) - no notes - 85

• Port Ellen 24 yo 1982/2006 (59,4%, Chieftain's, Hogshead #1513, 300 bottles) - 061107

• Port Ellen 25 yo 1982/2007 (58.2%, Dewar Rattray for Jack Wieber for Monnier, cask #2643, 60 bottles) - 030608

• Port Ellen 31 yo 1969/2001 (42.9%, Douglas Laing for Alambic Classique, 41 bottles) - 280708
• Port Ellen 25 yo 1976/2001 (50%, Douglas Laing OMC, 522 bottles) - 180607
• Port Ellen 23 yo 1977/2001 (50%, Douglas Laing OMC, 318 bottles, US) - 070906
• Port Ellen 23 yo 1978/2001 (62.2%, McGibbons Provenance for John Milroy) - 200604
• Port Ellen 25 yo 1978/2004 (61.1%, Douglas Laing OMC for Alambic Classique, advanced sample, cask REF655, Refill butt) - 180607
• Port Ellen 25 yo 1978/2004 (50%, Douglas Laing OMC, DL657, 604 bottles) - 200605
• Port Ellen 27 yo 1978/2006 (55.3%, Douglas Laing Platinum, bourbon, 375 bottles) - 280306
• Port Ellen 27 yo 1978/2006 (51%, Glen Denny, cask #607, 372 bottles) - 301106
• Port Ellen 21 yo 1979/2001 (50%, Douglas Laing OMC, sherry, 618 bottles) - 200605 - 070906
• Port Ellen 21 yo 1979/2001 (50%, Douglas Laing OMC, 636 bottles) - 200605
• Port Ellen 25 yo 1979/2005 (57.1%, Douglas Laing Platinum for Potstill Austria, 302 bottles) - 280306
• Port Ellen 25 yo 1979/2005 (50%, Douglas Lain OMC, sherry finish, DL2016, 425 bottles) - 210308
• Port Ellen 26 yo 1979/2006 (50%, Douglas Laing OMC, Rum Finish, 342 bottles) - 210308
• Port Ellen 29 yo 1979/2009 (53.8%, Douglas Laing, Platinum, for World Duty Free, 261 bottles) - 061009
• Port Ellen 18 yo 1981/2000 (43%, DL Provenance, Winter-Spring) - 180607
• Port Ellen 18 yo 1981/2000 (52.7%, DL OMC for Alambic Germany, 210 bottles) - 180607
• Port Ellen 23 yo 1981/2004 (50%, Douglas Laing OMC, 675 bottles) - 171204
• Port Ellen 18 yo 1982/2001 (43%, McGibbons Provenance, Winter/Winter) - 250105
• Port Ellen 19 yo 1982/2001 (43%, DL McGibbons, Spring/Spring) - no notes - 86
• Port Ellen 18 yo 1982/2001 (50%, Douglas Laing OMC, sherry, 777 bottles) - 130106
• Port Ellen 19 yo 1982/2001 (56%, Douglas Laing for Alambic Classique, 390 bottles) - 280708
• Port Ellen 20 yo 1982/2002 (50%, DL OMC, Sherry Cask, 666 bottles) - no notes - 91
• Port Ellen 19 yo 1982/2002 (43%, McGibbons Provenance, spring/spring, cask #3733) - 310506
• Port Ellen 19 yo 1982/2002 (50%, Douglas Laing OMC, ex-sherry, 570 bottles) - 310506
• Port Ellen 21 yo 1982/2003 (50%, DL OMC, 348 bottles) - 060304
• Port Ellen 21 yo 1982/2003 (46%, McGibbons Provenance, winter/summer) - 060304
• Port Ellen 21 yo 1982/2003 (50%, Douglas Laing OMC for Islay Whisky Shop, 216 bottles) - 130106
• Port Ellen 21 yo 1982/2004 (50%, Douglas Laing OMC, cask #DL 414, 420 bottles, full sherry) - 121104
• Port Ellen 21 yo 1982/2004 (50%, Douglas Laing OMC for Fortnum & Mason, ref #1282, 305 bottles) - 250607
• Port Ellen 21 yo 1982/2004 (50%, Douglas Laing for the Islay Whisky Shop, cask #477, 182 bottles) - 200605
• Port Ellen 21 yo 1982/2004 (61%, Douglas Laing for Potstill / Whisky Club Of Austria, 302 bottles) - 310506
• Port Ellen 22 yo 1982/2004 (61.1%, Douglas Laing for PLOWED, sherry cask #748, 264 bottles) - 210505
• Port Ellen 23 yo 1982/2005 (50%, DL Old Malt Casl for The Islay Whisky Shop, 240 bottles) - 250607
• Port Ellen 25 yo 1982/2007 (57.5%, Douglas Laing Platinum for PotStill Austria, cask #3478, 512 bottles) - 070508
• Port Ellen 25 yo 1982 (58.2%, Douglas of Drumlarig for Kingfisher, Selection 2008, Sherry Butt) - 241109
• Port Ellen 25 yo 1982/2008 (50%, Douglas Laing OMC, 589 bottles) - 051008
• Port Ellen 26 yo 1982/2008 (50%, Douglas Laing OMC, refill butt, 731 bottles) - 100509
• Port Ellen 26 yo 1982/2009 (56.2%, Douglas Laing OMC for The Nectar, refill hogshead, 193 bottles) - 100509
• Port Ellen 26 yo 1982/2009 (50%, Douglas Laing, Old Malt Cask, 712 bottles) - 241109
• Port Ellen 21 yo 1983/2004 (50%, Douglas Laing OMC, sherry cask, 525 bottles) - 250305
• Port Ellen 21 yo 1983/2004 (50%, Douglas Laing OMC, DL 1572, sherry, 435 bottles) - 121205
• Port Ellen 23 yo 1983/2006 (50%, Douglas Laing Old Malt Cask, 716 bottles) - 141206
• Port Ellen 23 yo 1983/2006 (51.8%, Douglas of Drumlanrig) - 100907
• Port Ellen 26 yo 1983/2009 (46%, Douglas of Drumlanrig, cask #5033, 440 bottles) - 100509

• Port Ellen 1976/1995 (43%, Dun Eideann for Auxil, France, casks #4763-64, 760 bottles) - 061107
• Port Ellen 1982/1995 (43%, Dun Eideann) - no notes - 81

• Port Ellen 15 yo 1969/1985 (64.7%, G&M for Intertrade) - 130807
• Port Ellen 16 yo 1969 (40%, G&M Connoisseur’s Choice old brown label, ca 1985) - 011005
• Port Ellen 1970/1987 (40%, Gordon & MacPhail for Meregali) - 231209
• Port Ellen 18 yo 1970 (40%, Gordon & MacPhail CC old map label) - 060607
• Port Ellen 1971/1989 (40%, Gordon & MacPhail for Meregali) - 231209
• Port Ellen 1971 (40%, Gordon & MacPhail, Connoisseur's Choice, +/-1990) - 231209
• Port Ellen 14 yo 1974/1988 (64.3%, G&M for Intertrade, 570 bottles) - 060607
• Port Ellen 1974/1991 (40%, Gordon & MacPhail old map label) - 310506
• Port Ellen 1979/1998 (61,1%, G&M, cask series, casks #7238-7239) - 140606
• Port Ellen 20 yo 1979/2000 (60.7%, Gordon & MacPhail, cask #7244+7247) - no notes - 87
• Port Ellen 1980/1995 (64.7%, G&M, Cask, casks #5088+5089+5091-5093) - 180607
• Port Ellen 1980/1996 (40%, G&M Connoisseur’s Choice, Old map label) - 250105
• Port Ellen 1980/1997 (64.4%, Gordon & MacPhail ‘Cask’, cask #5105-5110) - 310506
• Port Ellen 1981/1997 (40%, G&M Connoisseur’s Choice) - 200604
• Port Ellen 1981/1999 (40%, G&M Connoisseur’s Choice) - 090905
• Port Ellen 1982/2003 (40%, G&M CC) - 050304

• Port Ellen 19 yo 1977 (43%, Hart Bros) - 030608

• Port Ellen 22 yo 1982/2005 (61.7%, Jack Wieber, Auld Distillers, 228 bottles) - 250607
• Port Ellen 23 yo 1982 (56.1%, Jumping Jack for Whisky Plus, 130 bottles) - 290406

• Port Ellen 21 yo 1983/2004 (46%, Jean Boyer Best Cask, first fill sherry cask #1346) - 011005
• Port Ellen 1983/2006 (46%, Best Casks of Scotland, refill sherry) - 150607 - 030608
• Port Ellen 1983/2006 (55%, Best Casks of Scotland, refill sherry) - 150607

• Port Ellen 18 yo 1977/1996 (43%, Milroy’s) - 310506
• Port Ellen 12 yo 1982/1995 (60.5%, Milroy’s) - 250607

• Port Ellen 17 yo 1982/1999 (46%, Murray McDavid, MM 2599) - 090905

• Port Ellen 24 yo 1983/2008 (52.5%, Norse Cask, hogshead, cask #CM016) - 180709

• Port Ellen 23 yo 1975/1998 (45%, Samaroli, 744 bottles) - 060607

• Port Ellen 20 yo 1982/2003 (61.2%, Scotch Single Malt Circle, sherry) - 200604 - 090905
• Port Ellen 1983/2008 (58.4%, Scotch Single Malt Circle, Refill Sherry, cask #2542) - 160409

• Port Ellen 1977/1999 (52.5%, Scott's Selection) - 180607
• Port Ellen 1981/2005 (57.7%, Scott's Selection) - 121205 - 141206
• Port Ellen 14 yo 1983/1997 (56.9%, Scott’s Selection) - 160205
• Port Ellen 1983/1998 (54.9%, Scott's Selection) - 160409

• Port Ellen 19 yo 1970/1989 (40%, Sestante for Gallo, 75cl) - 060607
• Port Ellen 14 yo 1974/1988 (65.5%, Sestante, green glass, cork stopper) - 230106

• Port Ellen 10 yo (43%, Scottish Wildlife) - 200604
• Port Ellen 17 yo 1974/1992 (43%, Signatory, cask #6199, 800 bottles) - 060607
• Port Ellen 1974/2005 (58.5%, Signatory, cask #6756, 266 bottles) - 310506
• Port Ellen 23 yo 1975/1998 (43%, Signatory, distilled 14/1/75) - 200604
• Port Ellen 24 yo 1975/1999 (46%, The Prestonfield, cask #1775, 350 bottles) - 310506
• Port Ellen 23 yo 1976/1999 (55.6%, Signatory, cask #4797, 296 bottles) - 180607
• Port Ellen 23 yo 1976/2000 (58%, Signatory, cask #4762, 258 bottles) - 310506
• Port Ellen 19 yo 1977/1996 (58%, Signatory, cask #3615) - 250105
• Port Ellen 23 yo 1978/2002 (54.3%, Signatory, cask #5344) - no notes - 82
• Port Ellen 23 yo 1978/2002 (59%, Signatory, butt #5268, 564 bottles) - 171006
• Port Ellen 23 yo 1978/2002 (56.6%, Signatory, cask #5349, 232 bottles) - 301106
• Port Ellen 24 yo 1978/2002 (58%, Signatory, Portwood finish, cask #02/159/1, 804 bottles) - 200604
• Port Ellen 14 yo 1979/1993 (43%, Signatory, c# 1847, 350 bottles) - 200604
• Port Ellen 22 yo 1979 (59.3%, Signatory for WoW, Sherry, cask #6792, 518 bottles) - no notes - 90
• Port Ellen 22 yo 1979/2002 (43%, Signatory, cask #5745, 345 bottles) - 210308
• Port Ellen 23 yo 1979/2002 (43%, Signatory, cask #5151) - no notes - 88
• Port Ellen 24 yo 1979/2004 Burgundy finish (58.8%, Signatory Straight from The Cask) - 050304
• Port Ellen 25 yo 1979/2004 Burgundy finish (XX%, Signatory Vintage Decanter) - 120204
• Port Ellen 24 yo 1979/2004 (43%, Signatory, Sherry butt, cask #6771, 572 bottles) - 180607
• Port Ellen 24 yo 1979/2004 (56.2%, Signatory Cask Strength, cask #6773, 541 bottles) - no notes - 90
• Port Ellen 16 yo 1980/1997 (59%, Signatory, cask #89-589-19, 352 bottles) - 180607
• Port Ellen 25 yo 1982/2007 (55.7%, Signatory for La Maison du Whisky, Collectors’ Edition, cask #1203, 255 bottles) - 041007
• Port Ellen 25 yo 1982/2007 (60.1%, Signatory, cask #645, 486 bottles) - 121207
• Port Ellen 26 yo 1982/2008 (51.2%, Signatory for LMdW, Collector's Edition No. 2, hogshead, cask #1135, 318 bottles) - 100509
• Port Ellen 25 yo 1982/2008 (59.3%, Signatory, Refill Sherry Butt #2846, 234 bottles) - 241109
• Port Ellen 27 yo 1982/2009 (58.6%, Signatory for LMdW, Collectors’ Edition, cask #1523, 229 bottles) - 061009
• Port Ellen 14 yo 1983/1997 (43%, Signatory, butt #266) - 310506
• Port Ellen 14 yo 1983/1997 (43%, Signatory, cask #80) - no notes - 86

• Pe1 (58.7%, Specialty Drinks, Elements of Islay, 2009, 50cl) - 061009

• Port Ellen 1979/2006 (55.3%, M&H Cask Selection for Whisky Live Belgium, refill sherry, 150 bottles) - 280306
• Port Ellen 1982/2005 (55.7%, M&H Cask Selection, bourbon, 240 bottles) - 230106

• Port Ellen 22 yo (56.1%, Whisky-Doris, 2006) - 290406

• Port Ellen 27 yo 1978/2005 (52.3%, DL for The Whisky Fair, 198 bottles) - 121205
• Port Ellen 25 yo 1980/2006 (54.2%, The Whisky Fair, cask #2562) - 200407
• Port Ellen 24 yo 1982/2007 (59.6%, The Whisky Fair, sherry butt, 509 bottles) - 130807
• Port Ellen 23 yo 1983/2007 (56.7%, The Whisky Fair, 150 bottles) - 200407
• Port Ellen 24 yo 1983/2008 (58.6%, The Whisky Agency, 240 bottles) - 030608

• Port Ellen 23 yo 1979/2003 (46%, Wilson & Morgan, cask #6778) - 200604
• Port Ellen 23 yo 1979/2003 (46%, Wilson & Morgan, butt #6769) - 121104

• Port Ellen 15 yo 1974/1990 (40%, Antica Casa Marchesi Spinola, Collection N°1) - 060607
• Port Ellen 15 yo 1977/1992 (40%, Turatello, Italy) - 070906
• Port Ellen 26 yo 1979/2005 (53%, Old Bothwell, cask #3198) - 140606
• Port Ellen 26 yo 1979/2006 (54%, Old Bothwell, cask #7094) - 250110
• Port Ellen 28 yo 1979/2007 (53,6%, Norse Cask Selection, cask #QW1311, 277 bottles) - 070508
• Port Ellen 29 yo 1979/2009 (52%, Old Bothwell for Lindores Whisky Society 5th anniversary, cask #1654, 11 bottles) - 180709
• Port Ellen 29 yo 1979/2009 (53.9%, Old Bothwell, cask #7089) - 250110
• Port Ellen 1980/2006 (54.2%, Whisky Freunde Essenheim, cask #2562, 144 bottles) - 030608
• Port Ellen 24 yo 1982/2006 (57.6%, Whisky Magazine, Editor’s Choice, 300 bottles) - 280708
• Port Ellen 24 yo 1982/2006 (60.4%, Bladnoch Forum, cask #2461, 644 bottles) - 100907
• Port Ellen 24 yo 1982/2007 (51.1%, Bladnoch Forum, cask #2462, 156 bottles) - 240608
• Port Ellen 25 yo 1982/2007 (51.1%, Alambic Classique, cask/ref #71032, 120 bottles) - 240608
• Port Ellen 26 yo 1982/2009 (52%, Old Bothwell, cask #2729) - 250110
• Port Ellen 11 yo 1983/1994 (40%, The Whisky House Bologna) - 061107
• Port Ellen 23 yo 1983/2006 (55.2%, Monnier Trading, Switzerland, cask #2110, 300 bottles) - 141206
• Port Ellen 26 yo 1983/2009 (54.9%, Old Bothwell for Thosop bvba, Belgium, Cask #220) - 250110