Hunter Laing & Co. unveils new series to showcase Port Ellen whiskies

Scotch whisky company Hunter Laing & Co. has introduced a bottling series to showcase liquids from the former Islay distillery Port Ellen.

The Eidolon bottling series will feature three expressions from Port Ellen which were distilled in 1983, shortly before the distillery closed, with fewer than 650 bottles available to purchase.

The series' first release, a 36-year-old whisky, has been bottled at cask strength of 53.5% ABV without artificial colouring or chill filtration. It will be available at specially selected whisky stores worldwide and on the Ardnahoe Distillery website. 

Family-owned distiller, blender and bottler Hunter Laing & Co. has a reputation for its rare aged whiskies, and founder Stewart Laing's father was a fan of Port Ellen Distillery while it was in operation.

Stewart Laing said: "We are pleased to offer Islay enthusiasts this exceptional malt whisky in our new Eidolon presentation, which will only feature whiskies from Port Ellen Distillery. It is without a doubt a whisky of contrast - both a testament to historic wisdom and a celebration of modern whisky expertise. 

"The Eidolon casks were carefully set aside some years ago for additional ageing and we now believe they have reached the peak of their complexity and character."

Brothers Scott and Andrew added: "A new generation of whisky perfectionists have, in turn, been fortunate to taste this increasingly rare spirit over the years, continuing to protect and nurture the casks across seasons and time. We have spent a great deal of time in designing the presentation and we believe that it does justice to the quality and rarity of the whisky inside.

The Eidolon series takes its name from ancient Greek literature, where the word means something memorable from history. Hunter Laing & Co. also intends the series to anticipate plans by distillery owner Diageo to restart production at Port Ellen.

22 December 2020 - Bethany Whymark