Value of a Bottle of Port Ellen?

[nickjungman]

I am trying to decide whether to drink or save a bottle of Port Ellen.

As I understand it, the Port Ellen distillery on Islay is defunct, although owned by Diageo and potentially revived some day.

I have a Signatory Vintage bottling, dated 1983 and bottled in 1996 -- so only 13 years old. Unopened. 750ml. Original paper can.

Does anyone have any idea if this is any good? Potentially valuable? My basic question: Drink or save?

[opelfruit]

Port Ellen closed in 1983, so this is from the last year of it's run, which makes it quite collectable. Even if Diageo do reopen it the stuff will still be sought after as it's the "original" stuff.

In terms of quality; Port Ellen is good, but not amazing. The reason it is so sought after and valuable is not really it's quality but more the sentimental ideal or the stuff - Whisky drinkers are romantics and love a bit of "bygone era".

....don't get me wrong, it's lovely stuff, just over-rated and over valued.

Here is a Signatory bottling from 1983, although a tad more age on that yours:

http://www.htfw.com/port-ellen-silen...83-14-year-old


if you could post a picture that'd help.


Looking about the value seems to hover around £350 ($530 at current rates) a bottle, or there abouts, which sounds about right for a Port Ellen of that age from that time.


Stocks of PE are getting lower and lower, so it's only going to go up in value. Whether you open it up though depends on whether you'd rather have a reasonable amount of cash or a lovely whisky from a time gone by (something you'll probably never buy again). What's worth more to you?

If it were me (I'm a romantic and I don't need an extra £350), I'd crack it open. It was made to be drunk, and when was the last time you quaffed something from a legend?

[nickjungman]

Thanks, Opelfruit, for the helpful response. Here's a photo:



It's very similar to the Signatory Port Ellen you linked to, except I have a paper can, the wording on the label is slightly different, and there's the extra year of age (as you pointed out).

If it's helpful to anyone, the data on the label is:

Distilled 20.1.83, Bottled 11.96
Butt No. 25, Bottle No. 33 (hand-numbered) of 630.

[Jojo]

A huge decision for you to make! Port Ellen is always an eye and palate catcher for many and to have a bottle of scotch which is no longer being produced is certainly something exciting. Keep us posted on your decision.

[Jojo]

Originally Posted by opelfruit

Port Ellen closed in 1983, so this is from the last year of it's run, which makes it quite collectable. Even if Diageo do reopen it the stuff will still be sought after as it's the "original" stuff.

In terms of quality; Port Ellen is good, but not amazing. The reason it is so sought after and valuable is not really it's quality but more the sentimental ideal or the stuff - Whisky drinkers are romantics and love a bit of "bygone era".

....don't get me wrong, it's lovely stuff, just over-rated and over valued.

Here is a Signatory bottling from 1983, although a tad more age on that yours:

http://www.htfw.com/port-ellen-silen...83-14-year-old


if you could post a picture that'd help.


Looking about the value seems to hover around £350 ($530 at current rates) a bottle, or there abouts, which sounds about right for a Port Ellen of that age from that time.


Stocks of PE are getting lower and lower, so it's only going to go up in value. Whether you open it up though depends on whether you'd rather have a reasonable amount of cash or a lovely whisky from a time gone by (something you'll probably never buy again). What's worth more to you?

If it were me (I'm a romantic and I don't need an extra £350), I'd crack it open. It was made to be drunk, and when was the last time you quaffed something from a legend?

Thanks opelfruit for your feedback - I'm on board with what you have stated!

[nickjungman]

I'm leaning toward popping it open with a group I can impress with it on a special occasion. And until that occasion happens, I can wait and see how much it appreciates in value.