Port Ellen 24 Year Old 1979 - 3rd Release (Special Release 2003)
- Distillery
- Port Ellen
- Region
- Islay
- Country
- Scotland
- Type
- Single Malt
- ABV
- 57.3%
- Age
- 24 years
- Price
- £1999
- Community rating
- 5.00 / 5 (1 ratings)
- Tasting notes
- Smokey, Leathery, Old Wood, Medicinal
- Description
- Port Ellen distillery closed in 1980, making any bottle from its remaining stocks a window into Islay's peated past—this 1979 distillation, aged 24 years and bottled in 2003 at 57.3% ABV, represents the third official release of one of whisky's most sought expressions. The extended maturation has softened the distillery's signature peat into layers of maritime smoke, dried seaweed, and dark chocolate, with underlying notes of salt and liquorice building on the palate. Bottled without chill-filtration and limited to 9,000 bottles, this is a rare glimpse into a closed distillery's character—for collectors and serious Islay enthusiasts only.
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Same price range with a contrasting flavour profile:
- Port Ellen 24 Year Old 1979 - 3rd Release (Special Release 2003) vs The Macallan 21 Year Old Fine Oak — The Macallan, £1500, 4.8★ · Sherried, Vanilla, Chocolate, Dried Fruit
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✦ Neatly Summary
Port Ellen 24 Year Old 1979 - 3rd Release (Special Release 2003) is a 24-year-old single malt from Port Ellen (Islay, Scotland), bottled at 57.3% ABV. Expect intensely smoky, oaky and peaty character — smokey, leathery, old wood, medicinal. Best suited for experienced drinkers who enjoy bold, complex whiskies. A collector's expression at a premium price point.
Port Ellen distillery closed in 1980, making any bottle from its remaining stocks a window into Islay's peated past—this 1979 distillation, aged 24 years and bottled in 2003 at 57.3% ABV, represents the third official release of one of whisky's most sought expressions. The extended maturation has softened the distillery's signature peat into layers of maritime smoke, dried seaweed, and dark chocolate, with underlying notes of salt and liquorice building on the palate. Bottled without chill-filtration and limited to 9,000 bottles, this is a rare glimpse into a closed distillery's character—for collectors and serious Islay enthusiasts only.
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