Port Ellen 13 year old 1979 Douglas Murdoch & Co

This Port Ellen 13 Year Old (1979 vintage) is a scarce independent bottling from one of Islay’s most legendary names. Bottled in Scotland by Douglas Murdoch & Co. Ltd at 40% ABV, it offers a very different angle on Port Ellen compared with the later annual releases—lighter in strength, often more old-school in presentation, and firmly in the “hard to replace” category simply due to the distillery’s long-closed status and the relative rarity of independent labels from this era.

Key Details
- Distillery: Port Ellen (closed distillery)
- Region: Islay, Scotland
- Style: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
- Bottler: Douglas Murdoch & Co. Ltd
- Vintage/Distilled: 1979
- Age: 13 Year Old
- Bottled: 1992
- ABV: 40%
- Bottle Size: 70cl
- Packaging: Bottle only (no box)

Tasting Notes (typical profile for Port Ellen, reduced strength)
Nose: Coastal peat smoke, sea spray and lemon peel, with a lightly medicinal edge and soft, waxy notes.
Palate: Gentle smoke and brine, citrus and faint sweetness, with a drying mineral/oily character underneath.
Finish: Medium, softly smoky and salty, with lingering citrus peel and light peppery warmth.

Why This Bottle Is Worth Bidding On
- Closed distillery Port Ellen remains a blue-chip Islay name, and independent bottlings like this are far less common than the official annual releases.
- 1979 is a desirable Port Ellen vintage and sits right in the distillery’s late, highly collected period.
- A great “history bottle” for collectors who like unusual labels and independent bottler releases from legendary distilleries.

Condition / Notes for Buyers
Fill level is at the bottom of neck, which is a strong, reassuring fill for an older bottle. As it’s bottle only, condition becomes even more important