Port Ellen Distillery

Port Ellen, Islay, Scotland · established 1825

Owner

Diageo

Stills

Replica pair of the original stills plus an experimental pair

Water

Leorin Lochs

House style

Old-stock Port Ellen: oily, coastal, ashy peat. New-make era still being defined

Peat

40 PPM — Historically heavily peated; the new distillery also experiments with other styles

The story

Closed in 1983 and turned into a legend by its dwindling stock of 'ghost' casks, Port Ellen was rebuilt by Diageo and began distilling again in 2024 — one of the great resurrections in Scotch.

Tours

• By appointment — Luxury-tier experiences; check availability well in advance

Around Port Ellen

• Port Ellen Maltings (Industry) — Industrial maltings that supply much of Islay's peated malt
• Port Ellen harbour (Village) — Ferry terminal, pubs, the Islay Hotel

Port Ellen bottlings (23)

• Port Ellen 200th Anniversary Edition 42 Year Old 2025 · 42 years · 40 PPM
• Port Ellen Prism 46 Year Old 2025 · 46 years · 40 PPM
• Port Ellen Gemini 1978 44 Year Old — Original 2024 · 44 years · 40 PPM
• Port Ellen Gemini 1978 44 Year Old — Remnant 2024 · 44 years · 40 PPM
• Port Ellen 1979 40 Year Old — 9 Rogue Casks 2020 · 40 years · 50.9% ABV · 40 PPM
• Port Ellen 39 Year Old — The Spirit Safe 2019 · 39 years · 40 PPM
• Port Ellen 1979 37 Year Old — 17th Release 2017 · 37 years · 51% ABV · 40 PPM
• Port Ellen 16th Release 2016 · 40 PPM
• Port Ellen 15th Release 2015 · 40 PPM
• Port Ellen 14th Release 2014 · 40 PPM
• Port Ellen 13th Release 2013 · 40 PPM
• Port Ellen 12th Release 2012 · 40 PPM
• Port Ellen 11th Release 2011 · 40 PPM
• Port Ellen 10th Release 2010 · 40 PPM
• Port Ellen 1979 30 Year Old — 9th Release 2009 · 30 years · 57.7% ABV · 40 PPM
• Port Ellen 1978 29 Year Old — 8th Release 2008 · 29 years · 55.3% ABV · 40 PPM
• Port Ellen 1979 28 Year Old — 7th Release 2007 · 28 years · 53.8% ABV · 40 PPM
• Port Ellen 1978 27 Year Old — 6th Release 2006 · 27 years · 54.2% ABV · 40 PPM
• Port Ellen 1979 25 Year Old — 5th Release 2005 · 25 years · 57.4% ABV · 40 PPM
• Port Ellen 1978 25 Year Old — 4th Release 2004 · 25 years · 56.2% ABV · 40 PPM
• Port Ellen 1979 24 Year Old — 3rd Release 2003 · 24 years · 57.3% ABV · 40 PPM
• Port Ellen 1978 24 Year Old — 2nd Release 2002 · 24 years · 59.35% ABV · 40 PPM
• Port Ellen 1979 22 Year Old — 1st Release 2001 · 22 years · 56.2% ABV · 40 PPM

Official site: malts.com/en-gb/distilleries/port-ellen