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Port Ellen

Distillery & Brand
Port Ellen, Isle of Islay, Scotland

Whiskies (1,571)

1,571 Port Ellen whiskies are currently listed on Whiskybase.

About Port Ellen

Port Ellen’s story is often referenced as one of Scotch whisky’s most poignant closures. Originally opened in 1825 on Islay, the distillery operated intermittently before being mothballed in 1983 during industry-wide cutbacks. What followed was an unexpected second life: its remaining casks gained cult status, becoming some of the most sought-after Islay single malts for their heavily peated, coastal character. Though production ceased decades ago, Port Ellen’s warehouses continued to mature spirit, and in 2024, the distillery reopened. For many enthusiasts, Port Ellen represents both the fragility and endurance of Scotch whisky heritage.


Quick Facts

Region Islay
Country Scotland

Timeline

John Ramsay

1836

Distillers Company Limited (DCL)

1925

two additional stills are installed, there are four stills now.

1966

Drum malting has been build

1973

License for producing whisky is closed.

1992

Plans are published to reopen Port Ellen

2017

Port Ellen Distillery has re-opened

2024

Port Ellen Distillery Co.
James Buchanan & Co. and John Dewars & Sons Ltd. formed Port Ellen Distillery Col.

1920

Renovation

1966

Production resumes

1967

United Distillers

1987

Diageo

1997

Construction of new distillery is progressing. Stillhouse seems to be completed.

2023

Timeline

1836

John Ramsay

1920

Port Ellen Distillery Co.
James Buchanan & Co. and John Dewars & Sons Ltd. formed Port Ellen Distillery Col.

1925

Distillers Company Limited (DCL)

1966

Renovation

1966

two additional stills are installed, there are four stills now.

1967

Production resumes

1973

Drum malting has been build

1987

United Distillers

1992

License for producing whisky is closed.

1997

Diageo

2017

Plans are published to reopen Port Ellen

2023

Construction of new distillery is progressing. Stillhouse seems to be completed.

2024

Port Ellen Distillery has re-opened

Distillery Details

Capacity 1.7 MPLA
Water Source Leorin Lochs on Islay
Grain Type Heavily peated malt
Distillation Type Traditional pot still double distillation
Whisky Produced Single malt Scotch
Maltings on Site Yes
Maltings Type Drum maltings
Kiln Fuel Peat fuel in maltings
Number of Mash Tuns 1
Mash Tun Capacity ~5.5–7.5 Ton grist per charge
Mash Tun Type Full lauter
Number of Washbacks 6
Washback Material Wood
Fermentation Time 86–130 hour
Wash Stills 2
Wash Still Material Copper
Wash Still Shape Onion‑shaped traditional stills
Wash Still Capacity ~28,000 L each
Spirit Stills 2
Spirit Stills Material Copper
Spirit Stills Shape Onion‑shaped traditional design
Spirit Still Type Pot Still
Spirit Still Capacity ~25,000 L each
Spirit Still Heating Steam-heated
Maturation on Site? Yes
Warehouse Type Historic dunnage and racked warehouses
Bottling on Site No

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