March 2019 Auction

Port Ellen 12 Year Old / Queen's Visit 1980

We are honoured to present at auction one of the most iconic whiskies ever produced, and one of the most sought-after bottlings amongst collectors: the Port Ellen Queen's Visit. 

Thought to be the only official bottling of Port Ellen released while the distillery was active, it was produced to commemorate the visit of Queen Elizabeth II to the island on 9th August 1980. 

The exact number of bottles is unknown, but it is accepted that enough were bottled so that the Queen and all senior staff present on the day could have one. Estimates are that around 40 were made. 

In terms of taste, it was the reputation of being a truly outstanding dram. Indeed, this is the only whisky to score a near-perfect 99/100 on WhiskyFun.com, the highest rating Serge Valentin has ever awarded. 

With it currently being unavailable in even the most specialist of whisky retailers, this is genuinely a 'money can't buy' opportunity for any whisky enthusiast. 

Glass stopper included.

Please note that the strength is not stated. 

Port Ellen 1969 Gordon and MacPhail 15 Year Old Celtic Label / Intertrade Import

A vintage Port Ellen, distilled in 1969 and bottled as a 15 year old, two years after the distillery's closure.

This is part of the Celtic Label series, an Italian exclusive range bottled by Gordon & MacPhail for Italian importers Giuseppe Meregalli, Donini and Nadi Fiori's Intertrade.

This is an Intertrade bottling from 1985. The Intertrade and Donini imports are the rarer bottles, with Meregalli taking over as the sole distributor for Gordon & MacPhail later that year, a relationship which continues to this day.

Intertrade was established in Italy in the early 1980s by Nadi Fiori, a contemporary of Silvano Samaroli and Moon Import's Pepi Mongiardino. His company is perhaps less well known than theirs, but bottled some of the most well-regarded and collectible whiskies on the market.

Port Ellen 1981 Casks of Distinction 37 Year Old #1297

Filled into single hogshead #1297 on the 15 April 1981, and then matured for over 37 years. 

One of the oldest bottles of Port Ellen ever released, this is an incredible 37 year old expression and one of only 174 produced.  A rare offering that becomes rarer still when you consider the increasing scarcity of Port Ellen stocks since the distillery closed in 1983. 

The whisky, bottled at 48.9% ABV, has been drawn from single cask #1297, which is part of Diageo's Casks of Distinction programme. Casks of Distinction is the private sale of individual casks of rare and exceptional Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Diageo’s extensive stocks in Scotland. Hand selected by a team of whisky experts under guidance from Master Blender Dr. Craig Wilson, each cask is entirely unique and incredibly rare. Each Cask of Distinction is chosen on the basis of their quality, representing the most exceptional and singular expression of the distillery’s character.

With the announcement of plans to reopen the legendary lost distillery there is hope that in years to come we will once again see outstanding whisky produced at Port Ellen. Until then it is safe to assume that this exceptional 37 Year Old is amongst the last of its kind.

Bottle number 114 of only 174

Port Ellen 1981 Single Cask / Feis Ile 2008

Arguably one of the rarest Port Ellen's around, this official bottling was released for the Feis Ile in 2008 and as you can imagine sold out instantly.

This 1981 vintage is the only official single cask offering from Port Ellen, distilled on 15th April 1981 and bottled in 2008.

This single ex-refill American oak cask #1301 yielded only 220 bottles.

This is bottle number 84.

Port Ellen 1981 Single Cask 33 Year Old #1295

Filled into single hogshead #1295 on the 15 April 1981 and then matured for over 33 years. 

One of the oldest bottles of Port Ellen ever released, this is an incredible 33 year old expression and one of only 210 produced.  A rare offering that becomes rarer still when you consider the increasing scarcity of Port Ellen stocks since the distillery closed in 1983. 

The whisky, bottled at 50.5% ABV, has been drawn from single cask #1295. Released in 2015 this bottling was only made available to World Duty Free.

With the announcement of plans to reopen the legendary lost distillery there is hope that in years to come we will once again see outstanding whisky produced at Port Ellen. Until then it is safe to assume that this exceptional 33 year old is amongst the last of its kind.

Port Ellen 1981 Single Cask 33 Year Old #1295

Filled into single hogshead #1295 on the 15 April 1981 and then matured for over 33 years. 

One of the oldest bottles of Port Ellen ever released, this is an incredible 33 year old expression and one of only 210 produced.  A rare offering that becomes rarer still when you consider the increasing scarcity of Port Ellen stocks since the distillery closed in 1983. 

The whisky, bottled at 50.5% ABV, has been drawn from single cask #1295. Released in 2015 this bottling was only made available to World Duty Free.

With the announcement of plans to reopen the legendary lost distillery there is hope that in years to come we will once again see outstanding whisky produced at Port Ellen. Until then it is safe to assume that this exceptional 33 year old is amongst the last of its kind.

Port Ellen 1970 Intertrade 16 Year Old Magnum 1.5 Litre

A 16 year old Port Ellen, distilled in December 1970 and bottled by Intertrade in November August 1987. This is one of many vintage Port Ellen bottled by Nadi Fiori with this label style.

Intertrade was established in Italy in the early 1980s by Nadi Fiori, a contemporary of Silvano Samaroli and Moon Import's Pepi Mongiardino. His company is perhaps less well known than theirs, but bottled some of the most well-regarded and collectible whiskies on the market.

This is 61 of 240 magnums produced.

This lot has a 2 bottle shipping fee.

Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year Old Family Reserve / Stitzel-Weller

The teenager of this family of world renowned American whiskies, now in incredibly high demand!

Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 15 year old replaced the Old Rip Van Winkle of the same age in 2004. Van Winkle has been bottled at Buffalo Trace since 2002.

This is a pre-2007 Buffalo Trace bottling, meaning it was one of the last 15 Year Old Family Reserves bottled exclusively using stock distilled and barrelled at Stitzel-Weller before it closed in 1992. The Van Winkle family had been continuing to source their bourbon from Stitzel-Weller despite parting ways with the business in 1972.

Pre-2007 releases do not have bottle codes.

Fratelli Rinaldi import.

Port Ellen 1979 22 Year Old 1st Release

The first of the incredibly popular Port Ellen annual releases. Distilled in 1979 and bottled 22 years later in 2001 at cask strength.

Port Ellen is the lost jewel in the Islay crown. Closure in 1983 has enabled this distillery to receive a near mythical amount of love and respect. As stocks get thinner on the ground, these bottles become rarer and rarer.

Limited to 6,000 bottles, this is number 2196.

Port Ellen 1983 32 Year Old 15th Release 75cl / US Import​

The fifteenth edition of the incredibly popular Port Ellen annual releases. Distilled in 1978 and bottled 32 years later in 2015, bottled at cask strength.

Port Ellen is the lost jewel in the Islay crown. Closure in 1983 has enabled this distillery to receive a near mythical amount of love and respect. As stocks get thinner on the ground, these bottles become rarer and rarer.

Limited to 2964 bottles, this is number 2594.

Port Ellen 1983 32 Year Old 15th Release

The fifteenth edition of the incredibly popular Port Ellen annual releases. Distilled in 1978 and bottled 32 years later in 2015, bottled at cask strength. 

Port Ellen is the lost jewel in the Islay crown. Closure in 1983 has enabled this distillery to receive a near mythical amount of love and respect. As stocks get thinner on the ground, these bottles become rarer and rarer.

Limited to 2,964 bottles, this is bottle number 526.

Port Ellen 1978 31 Year Old 10th Release 

The tenth release of this famed Limited Edition series from Diageo. Port Ellen is the lost jewel in the Islay crown. Closure in 1983 has enabled this distillery to receive a near mythical amount of love and respect. As stocks get thinner on the ground, these bottles become rarer and rarer.

Distilled 1978 and bottled in 2010.

This is bottle 1703 of only 3000.

Port Ellen 1979 28 Year Old 7th Release

The seventh of the incredibly popular Port Ellen annual releases. Distilled in 1979 and bottled 28 years later in 2007, bottled at cask strength.

Port Ellen is the lost jewel in the Islay crown. Closure in 1983 has enabled this distillery to receive a near mythical amount of love and respect. As stocks get thinner on the ground, these bottles become rarer and rarer.

Bottle number 3720 of 5274. 

Port Ellen 34 Year Old Hunter Laing Kinship / Feis Ile 2017 - Signed

To celebrate the commencement of the construction of the Ardnahoe distillery on Islay, Hunter Laing has released a selection of 6 bottles called the Kinship collection. Each celebrates a different Islay distillery.

This is Edition 6 and is a well-aged Port Ellen at 34 years old. It was American oak matured and is one of 545 bottles.

Port Ellen 1979 22 Year Old 1st Release

The first of the incredibly popular Port Ellen annual releases. Distilled in 1979 and bottled 22 years later in 2001 at cask strength.

Port Ellen is the lost jewel in the Islay crown. Closure in 1983 has enabled this distillery to receive a near mythical amount of love and respect. As stocks get thinner on the ground, these bottles become rarer and rarer.

Limited to 6,000 bottles, this is number 4924.

Port Ellen 1979 28 Year Old 7th Release 75cl / US Import

Port Ellen is the lost jewel in the Islay crown. Closure in 1983 has enabled this distillery to receive a near mythical amount of love and respect. As stocks get thinner on the ground, these bottles become rarer and rarer.

The seventh of the incredibly popular Port Ellen annual releases.  Distilled in 1979 and bottled 28 years later in 2007, bottled at cask strength and limited to 5,274 bottles.

Bottle number 626. 

Port Ellen 1979 32 Year Old 11th Release

The eleventh of the incredibly popular Port Ellen annual releases. Distilled in 1979 and bottled 32 years later in 2011 at cask strength. 

Port Ellen is the lost jewel in the Islay crown. Closure in 1983 has enabled this distillery to receive a near mythical amount of love and respect. As stocks get thinner on the ground, these bottles become rarer and rarer.

Limited to 2,988 bottles, this is bottle 2817.​

Port Ellen 1979 28 Year Old 7th Release

The seventh of the incredibly popular Port Ellen annual releases. Distilled in 1979 and bottled 28 years later in 2007, bottled at cask strength.

Port Ellen is the lost jewel in the Islay crown. Closure in 1983 has enabled this distillery to receive a near mythical amount of love and respect. As stocks get thinner on the ground, these bottles become rarer and rarer.

Bottle number 3112 of 5274. 

Port Ellen 1979 30 Year Old 9th Release

The ninth of the incredibly popular Port Ellen annual releases. Distilled in 1979 and bottled 30 years later in 2009, bottled at cask strength.

Port Ellen is the lost jewel in the Islay crown. Closure in 1983 has enabled this distillery to receive a near mythical amount of love and respect. As stocks get thinner on the ground, these bottles become rarer and rarer.

This is bottle number 3420 of 5916. 

Port Ellen 1979 30 Year Old 9th Release

The ninth of the incredibly popular Port Ellen annual releases. Distilled in 1979 and bottled 30 years later in 2009, bottled at cask strength.

Port Ellen is the lost jewel in the Islay crown. Closure in 1983 has enabled this distillery to receive a near mythical amount of love and respect. As stocks get thinner on the ground, these bottles become rarer and rarer.

This is bottle number 972 of 5916. 

Port Ellen 1979 30 Year Old 9th Release

The ninth of the incredibly popular Port Ellen annual releases. Distilled in 1979 and bottled 30 years later in 2009, bottled at cask strength.

Port Ellen is the lost jewel in the Islay crown. Closure in 1983 has enabled this distillery to receive a near mythical amount of love and respect. As stocks get thinner on the ground, these bottles become rarer and rarer.

This is bottle number 4633 of 5916. 

Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year Old Family Reserve / Stitzel-Weller

This bourbon has become quite legendary, particularly after the theft of 65 X 3 bottle cases in 2013. It is also the expression which first brought the Van Winkle brand to prominence after being awarded an unprecedented score of 99 at the Beverage Testing Institute in 1996.

Now incredibly hard to find and even harder to buy from any retailer. This is a 2009 bottling, and was produced using stock distilled and barrelled at Stitzel-Weller before it closed in 1992. The Van Winkle family had been continuing to source their bourbon from Stitzel-Weller despite parting ways with the business in 1972.

Laser code: J1390913:29

Port Ellen 1979 22 Year Old 1st Release

The first of the incredibly popular Port Ellen annual releases. Distilled in 1979 and bottled 22 years later in 2001 at cask strength.

Port Ellen is the lost jewel in the Islay crown. Closure in 1983 has enabled this distillery to receive a near mythical amount of love and respect. As stocks get thinner on the ground, these bottles become rarer and rarer.

Limited to 6,000 bottles, this is number 5328.

Port Ellen 1978 24 Year Old 2nd Release

The second of the incredibly popular Port Ellen annual releases.  Distilled in 1978 and bottled 24 years later in 2002, bottled at cask strength and limited to 12,000 bottles.

Port Ellen is the lost jewel of the Islay crown. Closure in 1983 has enabled this distillery to receive a near mythical amount of love and respect. As stocks get thinner on the ground, these bottles become rarer and rarer.

Bottle number 5021.

Port Ellen 1979 32 Year Old 11th Release

The eleventh of the incredibly popular Port Ellen annual releases. Distilled in 1979 and bottled 32 years later in 2011 at cask strength. 

Port Ellen is the lost jewel in the Islay crown. Closure in 1983 has enabled this distillery to receive a near mythical amount of love and respect. As stocks get thinner on the ground, these bottles become rarer and rarer.

Limited to 2,988 bottles, this is bottle 58.​

Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year Old Family Reserve / Stitzel-Weller

This bourbon has become quite legendary, particularly after the theft of 65 X 3 bottle cases in 2013. It is also the expression which first brought the Van Winkle brand to prominence after being awarded an unprecedented score of 99 at the Beverage Testing Institute in 1996.

Now incredibly hard to find and even harder to buy from any retailer. This is a pre-2007 bottling, and was produced using stock distilled and barrelled at Stitzel-Weller before it closed in 1992. The Van Winkle family had been continuing to source their bourbon from Stitzel-Weller despite parting ways with the business in 1972.

Pre-2007 releases did not have bottle codes.

Fratelli Rinaldi import for the Italian market.

Port Ellen 1978 29 Year Old 8th Release

The eighth of the incredibly popular Port Ellen annual releases. Distilled in 1978 and bottled 29 years later in 2008, bottled at cask strength and limited to 6,618 bottles.

Port Ellen is the lost jewel in the Islay crown. Closure in 1983 has enabled this distillery to receive a near mythical amount of love and respect. As stocks get thinner on the ground, these bottles become rarer and rarer.

This is bottle number 5933 of 6618. 

Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year Old Family Reserve

This bourbon has become quite legendary, particularly after the theft of 65 X 3 bottle cases in 2013. It is also the expression which first brought the Van Winkle brand to prominence after being awarded an unprecedented score of 99 at the Beverage Testing Institute in 1996.

Now incredibly hard to find and even harder to buy from any retailer.

Laser code is obscured by importer label but as best we can make out starts with  L17 making this a 2017 bottling

Port Ellen 1978 24 Year Old 2nd Release

The second of the incredibly popular Port Ellen annual releases.  Distilled in 1978 and bottled 24 years later in 2002, bottled at cask strength and limited to 12,000 bottles.

Port Ellen is the lost jewel of the Islay crown. Closure in 1983 has enabled this distillery to receive a near mythical amount of love and respect. As stocks get thinner on the ground, these bottles become rarer and rarer.

Bottle number 9235.

Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year Old Family Reserve

This bourbon has become quite legendary, particularly after the theft of 65 X 3 bottle cases in 2013. It is also the expression which first brought the Van Winkle brand to prominence after being awarded an unprecedented score of 99 at the Beverage Testing Institute in 1996.

Now incredibly hard to find and even harder to buy from any retailer.

This is a 2017 bottling.

Laser code is L172620112:11N

Port Ellen 1979 22 Year Old 1st Release

The first of the incredibly popular Port Ellen annual releases. Distilled in 1979 and bottled 22 years later in 2001 at cask strength.

Port Ellen is the lost jewel in the Islay crown. Closure in 1983 has enabled this distillery to receive a near mythical amount of love and respect. As stocks get thinner on the ground, these bottles become rarer and rarer.

Limited to 6,000 bottles, this is number 5329.

Port Ellen 1978 24 Year Old 2nd Release

The second of the incredibly popular Port Ellen annual releases.  Distilled in 1978 and bottled 24 years later in 2002, bottled at cask strength and limited to 12,000 bottles.

Port Ellen is the lost jewel of the Islay crown. Closure in 1983 has enabled this distillery to receive a near mythical amount of love and respect. As stocks get thinner on the ground, these bottles become rarer and rarer.

Bottle number 11691.