Port Ellen Distillery Resurrected
Introduction This evening, I am reporting on Port Ellen Distillery (on Islay) which, according to media postings has been re-opened following a long spell as a 'ghost' distillery. Background Information The distillery was established in 1825 by Alexander Mackay. It remained under family ownership until 1920 when sold to corporate ownership where it has remained ever since, currently residing with international drinks conglomerate, Diageo. Due to a slowdown in the whisky market Port Ellen was mothballed in 1983 and closed permanently in 1987 when production equipment was dismantled. In the image above, the old Port Ellen buildings can be seen in the left of centre whilst the industrial buildings to the right house the maltings which have continued in operation supplying many of the Islay distilleries with the key ingredient of malted barley. Despite closure of the distillery there remained a store of maturing single malt which was drip-fed into the market where collectors ...