Founded in 1825 on the isle of Islay off Scotland’s west coast by Alexander MacKay, Port Ellen has a fabled reputation. John Ramsay took over the lease in 1836 and the site remained in his family’s hands until 1920 before falling silent in 1930. It reopened in 1967 but was mothballed again in 1983, with the stills dismantled and removed. Renowned for the subtle, distinctiveness and rarity of its spirit, Port Ellen single malts have long been revered by drinkers and collectors. In 2024 the distillery reopened its doors but lost works of art, such as this whisky matured in a Gordon & MacPhail cask, can never be replicated.