Port Ellen
Full Islay food & drink guide — distilleries, restaurants, where to stay, when to go.
One of the most legendary names in Islay whisky — mothballed in 1983, its 1970s and early-80s bottlings became some of the most collectable Scotch ever. Diageo reopened the rebuilt distillery in 2024 with new stills running alongside a restoration of the original buildings; new-make spirit is now quietly maturing for future releases.
Port Ellen is one of Scottish whisky's most legendary names — mothballed by Diageo in 1983, its 1970s and early-80s bottlings have become the most collectable, sought-after, and expensive Scotch regularly available at auction. Annual releases from remaining casks command four-figure prices. In 2023, Diageo reopened the distillery in a luxury format — early new-make releases are impressive but the legendary status belongs to the silent-era whisky.
Core range
Port Ellen Untold Stories (collector)
50.1% ABV · Refill American oak
Silent 1983–2024, restarted 2024 but pre-existing releases are pure collector territory (£3k+). Defining Islay peated whisky in its time. Not consumer-tier.
Food pairings
| Whisky | Food | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Port Ellen Annual Release | Oysters or strong blue cheese | Heavily peated 40-year-old spirit is an experience for the senses — pair with flavours that challenge rather than submit to it. |
Getting there
CalMac ferry from Kennacraig to Port Ellen, Islay (2.5 hours). The distillery is in the village.
Where to eat nearby
- Port Ellen villageArea
The main village on Islay's south coast — several restaurants and a Coop.
- Ardbeg Old Kiln CaféCafé
Islay's best distillery café, 5 min east along the whisky coast.
Where to stay near Port Ellen
Port Ellen distillery (reopened 2023) is in Port Ellen town beside the ferry terminal. Port Ellen is the arrival point for CalMac ferries from Kennacraig; the distillery is a short walk from the pier. The town has B&Bs and the Ardview Inn. The combination of ferry access and the south coast distillery walk (Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Ardbeg) makes Port Ellen the natural Islay base.
Beautiful self-catering on the Oa peninsula near Port Ellen.
Various accommodation options in the village.
Where to stay near Port Ellen
Hotels, B&Bs, and self-catering within easy reach of Port Ellen.
Booking links are affiliate links — we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Location
Port Ellen, Isle of Islay, PA42 7BP
View on map →Frequently asked questions
+Can I actually taste old Port Ellen?
Only at significant cost — original bottles start at £2,000 and specialist whisky bars may pour drams for £100-200+. Expect to pay for the privilege.
+Why was Port Ellen closed?
Whisky industry overproduction in the early 1980s led Diageo to close several distilleries. Port Ellen was one of the casualties.
+Is Port Ellen open to visitors?
Yes — Diageo reopened Port Ellen in 2023 with a luxury visitor experience. Tours are available but premium-priced and should be booked in advance through the Port Ellen website.
+Where is Port Ellen distillery?
Port Ellen is in Islay. Postcode PA42.
Compare with similar distilleries
Original Port Ellen exists in a category with Brora and Rosebank — irreplaceable closed-distillery whisky. The revived production will eventually be compared to Lagavulin and Ardbeg.
Lagavulin
Iconic Islay distillery on the southern shore, Lagavulin produces some of the most intensely peated, deeply maritime whisky in Scotland. The 16 Year Old is a benchmark Islay dram.
Rosebank
The most famous resurrection in Scotch whisky. Rosebank was one of the great Lowland distilleries — triple-distilled, delicate, floral — before Diageo closed it in 1993. Ian Macleod Distillers bought the site, painstakingly rebuilt it, and restarted distillation in July 2023, opening to visitors in June 2024. The original Rosebank spirit from pre-closure stocks is now among the most sought-after whiskies in the world (bottles regularly fetch four figures). The new-make spirit is promising — light, citric, recognisably Lowland — but the first core bottlings of the reborn Rosebank are years away. The visitor centre in Falkirk is worth visiting for the history alone.
Ardbeg
Islay’s cult favourite. Ardbeg 10 is widely considered one of the best 10-year-old single malts in Scotland full stop, and the Committee membership programme built a fanbase before cult-brand marketing was fashionable.
Brora
Closed in 1983 and reopened by Diageo in 2021 after a meticulous restoration, Brora's silent-period 1970s bottlings are among the most collectable (and expensive) Scotch whiskies ever released. New-production spirit won't be commercially available for years — visits are by private appointment only.
Other distilleries owned by Diageo
Distilleries that share Port Ellen's corporate parent — useful context if you're comparing house styles within an owner's stable.
Lagavulin
Iconic Islay distillery on the southern shore, Lagavulin produces some of the most intensely peated, deeply maritime whisky in Scotland. The 16 Year Old is a benchmark Islay dram.
Oban
A tiny two-still distillery sitting right in the middle of the town it’s named after. Oban bridges Highland and West Coast island character — gently smoky, salty, fruity.
Cardhu
Founded by Helen Cumming and the spiritual home of Johnnie Walker, Cardhu is a smooth, easy, fruit-forward Speyside that punches well above its weight as a beginner single malt.
Cragganmore
One of Diageo’s six ‘Classic Malts’. Cragganmore is unusually complex for an entry-age Speyside thanks to its short, flat-topped stills and unique condensing setup.
Linkwood
A workhorse Diageo distillery whose spirit features in many blends but is rarely seen as an official single malt. A favourite of independent bottlers for its perfumed, floral character.
Mortlach
Known as ‘the Beast of Dufftown’ for its uniquely complex 2.81-times distillation regime. Big, meaty, sulphury, sherry-influenced — the polar opposite of typical ‘light Speyside’.
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