After a $233 Million Investment, Lost Islay Icon Port Ellen Distillery Returns With a Pair of 44-Year-Old Whiskies
Port Ellen is reopening in March, and to kick things off the former ghost distillery released Gemini, a set of two 44-year-old whiskies. (Photo: Port Ellen)
Something very exciting is happening in the Islay region of Scotland. On Wednesday,the Scottish Sun reported that after a £185 million ($233 million) investment from Diageo, Port Ellen is set to re-open. To commemorate this historic milestone, the brand announced on Tuesday that it is releasing Port Ellen Gemini — a set of two scotch whiskies priced at £45,000 ($56,688).
“[Port Ellen] closed in 1983, so to reopen it is a big deal – it’s one of the most iconic distilleries,” Diageo President of Global Supply Ewan Andrew said, according to the Scottish Sun. “We’re starting the official process ahead of opening to the public, it is great to see whisky travel to the island again.”
Gemini is a rare set of 44-year-old scotch whiskies, of which just 274 bottles are available. The set comprises Port Ellen Gemini Original and Port Ellen Gemini Remnant.
Port Ellen Gemini Original was drawn from “untouched” whisky casks dating back to 1978, according to the brand. The whisky was matured in European Oak butts longer than any release from Port Ellen and has what the brand refers to as a “sweet, salty and smoky” quality.
Gemini Remnant was matured in a Port Ellen “Remnant cask.” Remnant casks measure excess distillate from a filling run, according to Port Ellen. The brand claims this particular remnant cask held the former ghost distillery’s most “historic whiskies.” The cask was rescued by some distillers when Port Ellen closed in 1983 before being re-seasoned and used to finish this 44-year-old whisky. Gemini Remnant possesses aromas of “sea salt, smoke, dried fruit and oak.”
According to the brand, Gemini will be the focal point of the distillery guest experience when it reopens.
The Gemini whiskies are housed in a mirrored case.
Although the majority of people will never be able to taste a rare dram with such a hefty price tag, we’ve reviewed other expressions from the legendary distillery. The Port Ellen Signatory Vintage 1982 received an 8/10 at Whiskey Raiders and made quite the impression. In October, we were fortunate enough to get a hold of a Port Ellen from 1983 — one of the distillery’s rarest expressions — and you can watch our impressions in the video below:
As for this latest celebratory release from the newly awakened distillery, Master Blender Craig Wilson had more than his fair share of thoughts on the offering, which he shared in the news release from the Diageo-owned brand:
“Marking the return of this iconic distillery, and a new light in its future, Port Ellen Gemini is a true taste of a legend reborn — a never before seen release of two unique and priceless expressions of a much-revered whisky, inspired by our rarest cask. Port Ellen Gemini invites whisky connoisseurs to compare and contrast a twin pair of 1978 Scotch whiskies, shared in its original form and finished expression. The finish is nothing short of historical: an extraordinary remnant cask that cradled three decades of Port Ellen spirit, now restored and revived, a worthy touch to this rare Scotch. It is a fitting tribute to the past and future as Port Ellen returns once again.”
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