Port Ellen 29 Years 1979 – 2009 – Douglas Laing Old & Rare Platinum Selection

Like a whisper from the past, this Port Ellen 29 Years from 1979 – bottled in 2009 by Douglas Laing for their revered Old & Rare Platinum Selection – captures the windswept soul of southern Islay. Limited to just 261 bottles and released exclusively for World Duty Free, this is a true gem from the now-silent distillery. Bottled at 53.8%, it delivers everything you expect from Port Ellen: raw power, maritime elegance, and that unmistakable peated grace. Serge Valentin of WhiskyFun awarded it an impressive 93 points – a clear sign of greatness.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Fresh and slightly raw at first, with lemon, yoghurt, wet rocks and a hint of almond paste. Quickly evolves to marzipan, walnut oil and a gentle touch of camphor. With water: classic high-end Port Ellen – beach under rain, sheep, wet grass, raw peat and sea spray. Pure Islay poetry.

Palate

Compact and direct, with a powerful mix of peat smoke, lemon zest, almond and resin. Then comes apple and lemon peel, fresh walnuts and hints of pine sap. With water it becomes saltier, rounder – lemon marmalade, walnut liqueur, fresh putty and beeswax – all in perfect balance.

Finish

Medium in length but strikingly pure: lemon, sea salt, peat and almond. Everything aligned, nothing excessive. A finish like a memory that lingers.

Port Ellen Distillery

Port Ellen Distillery is located on the south coast of the island of Islay, near the village of the same name. Founded in 1825 by Alexander Kerr Mackay and later taken over by John Ramsay in 1836, Port Ellen has a rich history, but sadly closed in 1983. The distillery quickly gained legendary status among whisky lovers.

A specific feature of Port Ellen was its pronounced peat smoke, resulting in whiskies with a deep, smoky flavour. The distillery used traditional copper pot stills and used water from the nearby Leorin Lochs. The whiskies were mainly matured in ex-bourbon casks, which contributed to the balance of sweet and smoky notes.

Port Ellen whiskies are known for their complex flavour profiles with notes of seaweed, medicinal smoke, sea salt and a subtle sweetness. Despite the closure, the remaining bottles remain in high demand and are often seen as collectibles and investment items.

The reopening of the distillery, on 19 March 2024, has raised much anticipation among whisky lovers worldwide, who are hoping for a revival of this iconic Islay single malt whisky.

Douglas Laing

Douglas Laing & Co. is one of the most respected independent bottlers in the whisky world. With a history dating back to 1948 and a commitment to quality and craftsmanship, the company continues to offer whiskies of exceptional quality. Their broad portfolio, which includes both single cask and small batch releases, makes Douglas Laing a favourite among whisky collectors and enthusiasts worldwide. Whether it is a rare XOP bottling or a characterful blended malt like Big Peat, Douglas Laing offers a unique and authentic whisky experience.

History

Douglas Laing & Co. was founded in 1948 by Fred Douglas Laing in Glasgow, Scotland. The company began as a dealer and blender of whisky, but soon focused on selecting and bottling single cask and small batch whiskies.

Douglas Laing has always remained a family business, with the knowledge and passion for whisky passed from generation to generation. After Fred Douglas Laing, the company was run by his son, Fred Laing Jr, and later Fred's daughter Cara Laing and her husband Chris Leggat also joined the company.

Please note

This bottle was bottled a long time ago. Please be careful when opening. The closure may have deteriorated. The item is sold as photographed and described. We do not accept any liability for the condition of the closure.