Port Ellen '9 Rogue Casks'
17 June 2020

Port Ellen, the ghost distillery of Islay, has achieved legendary status. Nestled into the coastline of “The Whisky Isle” just off the west coast of Scotland, Port Ellen closed in 1983 with a small inventory of casks left to remember it by. As those stocks dwindle, the exceptional quality of what they contained has come to light. Today, Port Ellen’s status amongst both whisky collectors and connoisseurs is one of reverence. It is interesting to note that whisky was made for only sixteen of the last ninety years at Port Ellen. These original stocks, those distilled between 1970 and 1983 are incredibly rare and exceptionally sought after. Limited releases such as this one a rare opportunity to own a part of Port Ellen’s history. This bottling is the oldest and rarest public release from this legendary ‘ghost’ distillery. Only 1380 bottles have been produced, featuring single malts from nine “Rogue Casks”.

The nine individual casks used to create this unique bottling were hand-filled in 1979 and have been quietly maturing up until the point they were; hand-picked and masterfully intertwined to create this sublime Port Ellen 40 -year old whisky , authentic in colour and at natural cask strength. Delicate peat smoke mingles with rich sweet aromas and flavours, to create Port Ellen’s signature character. Yet this new expression offers a new dimension to the iconic Port Ellen repertoire.

These nine ‘Rogue Casks’ are an inspirational example of a distillery that always followed its own heart. The result of these nine distinct casks coming together is extraordinary; the combination of four American oak hogsheads and five European oak butts has produced a wonderfully layered single malt. Sea isle herbs, aromatic spice, pine and cinnamon notes rise from the fine peat to give the whisky a level of refined complexity never before seen from Port Ellen. As it slides across the palate, the savoury tang of marine minerality is warmed by notes of cedar and fig rolls, tobacco, black pepper and tea. Each sip offers a rare and exclusive opportunity to experience the next chapter of Port Ellen’s Untold Story. 9 Rogue Casks marks the second release in the Untold Stories Series; exploring the story of Port Ellen's past ahead of the distillery's return in the years to come. This expression celebrates the variety of styles produced historically at Port Ellen and the skill of today’s Master Blender in bringing these together.