Diageo has made a groundbreaking announcement: Port Ellen Distillery has reopened its doors on the picturesque island of Islay after more than four decades of closure. This momentous event marks the culmination of a substantial £185 million investment by Diageo, which also includes the revival of another iconic ghost distillery, Brora.
Ewan Andrew, President of Global Supply Chain & Procurement, and Chief Sustainability Officer at Diageo, emphasized the significance of this milestone for both the company and the Scotch whisky industry as a whole.
“Port Ellen is deeply intertwined with the land and people of Islay, yet its name is synonymous with top-tier single malt Scotch whisky worldwide,”
remarked Andrew
The revitalized Port Ellen Distillery has been meticulously redesigned with a focus on innovation, experimentation, and sustainability. It now features a pair of Experimental Stills alongside the Phoenix Stills, which are faithful replicas of the original Port Ellen stills.
Ali McDonald, the newly appointed Master Distiller at Port Ellen, expressed his pride in leading this esteemed distillery into a new era.
“Port Ellen holds a special place in the hearts of whisky enthusiasts, and witnessing the first spirit flow from these stills once more is a truly remarkable moment for the Islay community and the broader whisky industry,”
“Our dedication to pushing the boundaries of Scotch whisky through innovative experimentation is unwavering. I am eager to explore the creative possibilities that lie ahead.”
McDonald shared
To commemorate its triumphant return, Port Ellen Distillery has unveiled the Port Ellen Gemini—a pair of 44-Year-Old Scotch whiskies sourced from three 1978 European oak casks.
