Port Ellen

Port Ellen Old & Rare Platinum Selection 29 Year Old, Oak Cask, Cask #5253989, 1979, Douglas Laing, 53.2%

4.7/5Expert Rating

Catalog product detail, market evidence, tasting notes, reviews, and collection actions.

TypeSingle Malt Whisky
MRI
MRI 65
Average Score
Avg 94
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Description

An Islay distillery that developed a cult status following its closure by Distillery Company in 1983. Originally only providing fillings for blends, its single had become hugely sought-after by the turn of the 21st century, so much so in fact that it was re-opened again by Diageo in 2024. A premium line of single cask Scotch whisky bottlings inroduced by Douglas Laing & Co in 2001. It was reserved ... This ultra rare 29 year old Islay single malt, from the Port Ellen distillery, was laid down in December 1979 and bottled for Douglas Laing's Old & Rare Platinum Selection in February 2009. Originally only available through World Duty Free, this is one of just 270 bottles filled at a natural cask strength 53.2% ABV. It comes complete with a fine timber presentation case.

Change+0.0%
LatestSGD 1,991
HighSGD 1,991
LowSGD 1,991
SGD 2,230SGD 2,071SGD 1,912SGD 1,752Price (SGD)Observed dateFeb 9Feb 9 - SGD 1,991 - Whisky Auctioneer - Feb 9, 2026

Recently Sold

Listed value is based on sold auction prices and inclusive of auction fees (not including tax and shipping).

Whisky AuctioneerAuction Sold Price - Feb 9, 2026SGD 1,991.39

Listed For Sale

Listed price is based on available stock selling price from verified retail stores (not including tax and shipping).

Whisky MansionVerified Retail Listing - Updated Oct 6, 2026SGD 3,200.00
Region
Islay
Age
29 Years
Vintage
1979
Bottled
2009
ABV
53.2%
Volume
70cl
Distillery
Port Ellen
Origin
Scotland
Cask type
Oak Cask
Bottling
Independent Bottling - Douglas Laing
Peated
Peated
Single cask
Yes
Non-chill filtered
Yes
Cask origin
N.A
Cask no.
5253989
Batch
N.A
PPM
N.A
Barley
N.A
Fermentation
N.A
Master distiller (bottling)
N.A
Master distiller (distillation)
N.A
Limited edition
Yes
Bottle count
270
Has box
Yes
Closure
driven cork
Presentation
wooden case
Series highlights
Old & Rare Platinum Selection
Historical context
Port Ellen closed its doors in 1983, making it a 'ghost' distillery.
Special release
World Duty Free exclusive
Allocation
World Duty Free
Nose
slightly soury element that reminds me a bit of the mashtun. Or a wet sheep. Then citrus, peat and wet rocks join in, followed by vanilla and almond sweetness. Grapefruit! Some graphite. A little honey and slight bitterness. After a breather (for the whisky and me both!) some white fruit and caramel shines through.
Palate
full and creamy palate. Pretty spicy: pepper, ginger, liquorice. Very salty too. The balance between sweet, salty and oak is amazing. Citrus and nuts to the fore, vanilla and apples in the middle, walnuts at the end. All of this in a wonderful straight jacket of peat.
Finish
quite punchy on salty limes and peat.
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