Port Ellen – 1982 19 Year Old Provenance (70cl, 43%)

Port Ellen – 1982 19 Year Old Provenance is a whisky from Port Ellen (Islay). Aged 19 years, bottled at 43% ABV, 70cl. Opened in 1824, Port Ellen was managed in its early days by 21 year old John Ramsay (imagine running a distillery at 21!). A shrewd businessman, Ramsay became a partner in the steamer boat company that made supply runs between the island and the city of Glasgow. This no doubt played a part in the town of Port Ellen also becoming the defacto ferry terminal. In 1925 the distillery was acquired by DCL, but it always played second fiddle to bigger siblings, Caol Ila and Lagavulin. Production during this period came in fits and starts, and in 1983 during a downturn in global demand for Scotch, DCL decided to pull the plug on the runt of their litter. However, while the distillery itself may be gone, stocks of Port Ellen whisky remain; and thanks to the use of refill casks to create a signature style less oaked than it’s contemporaries (and one that ages extremely well), demand amongst collectors and connoisseurs continues to soar as supply dwindles. Director of Malts Fred Laing believes that the provenance of a whisky’s constituent ingredients is vital in the production of something of great quality and character; therefore, the Provenance range of small batch bottlings from Douglas Laing is a sturdy portfolio of spirits from Scotland’s great distilleries. Within the range, there are ‘Young & Feisty’ bottlings and aged expressions. Port Ellen Lease note minor tearing to carton.