Opinion leaders gathered in Guangzhou to tribute the oldest official single cask of Port Ellen 40 Yo

发布日期：2018-12-12 20:00
The oldest official single cask of Port Ellen whisky, distilled in 1978, has spent 40 years ageing in an ex-sherry butt in a now silent distillery. It was a successful bid won by an Asian collector. Since it was unveiled last month in Guangzhou China, it has achieved a worldwide attention.
 

Master Charles MacLean, Scotland’s leading whisky expert; Mr. Daniel Lam, Bonhams fine & rare whisky specialist in Asia; Mr. Lu Ching Sheng, Whisky Collection Adviser; and Mrs. Vivi Shen, connoisseur & collector representative in China, are all considered to be renowned whisky experts. Each of them gathered together in Guangzhou to witness the re-birth of the oldest official single cask of Port Ellen.

The iconic and since closed distillery, Port Ellen, it has not been officially re-opened. Its halo comes from the heartfelt support for the contribution in definition of smoke & peat whisky in the last century among all whisky lovers. It would be an amazing experience for each whisky lover given the chance to witness its re-birth and taste the precious liquor which survived since the golden age, when the Port Ellen distillery was closed in 1983. 
 
At the collectors gathering event in Guangzhou, industry opinion leaders, whisky collection advisers and connoisseurs/collectors shared their views on how to appropriately appreciate single cask whisky.
 
 
“Single cask whisky is quite different from mass product. It features the uniqueness and non-replicability, which offers owners an exclusive drinking pleasure and extremely high collection/connoisseurship value. The value system of single cask whisky is closely related to the associated distillery’s DNA (identity), year of age (historical background), year of bottling (long-standing maturation), and cask master. As the benchmark of iconic silent distilleries, it is so precious for one who loves collecting precious liquor”
 
Master Charles MacLean
Scotland’s leading whisky expert
 
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“I’m very proud to be able to witness the re-birth of the oldest official single cask of Port Ellen. After nearly 40 years in researching whisky, I pay particular attention to the indicative distilleries that have made great contributions to flavor exploration. More so to the silent distilleries, such as Port Ellen, which have been closed due to their historical background. This distillery is well-known as the definition and benchmark of peat and smoke whisky in the late 70s and a representation of iconic silent distilleries. Its epoch-making influence spans from single malt to blended whisky, and plays an important role in the evolution and development of whisky flavor.”
 
Mr. Dave Broom
World’s top whisky culture disseminator, the author of “The World Atlas of Whisky”
 
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Whisky is showing a booming trend in global auction market. Things from the past are rising in value at auctions, due in large part to their scarcity, historic significance and mobility. Some single cask whisky has gradually attracted attention due to its unique and exclusive drinking pleasure and undeniable collection value. Mr. Daniel Lam, Bonhams fine & rare whisky specialist, added:
 
“Over the past two decades, from the value-added recognition through a global auction market, Port Ellen defines the origin of peat & smoke whisky, which could be cross-validated in many collection indices. If we review on the significance of silent distillery, Port Ellen, which should be one of the hottest picks in the whisky auction market. The distillery is well-known as the definition and benchmark of peat and smoke whisky in the last 70s century and representative of iconic silent distillery. Its epoch-making influenced from the beginning of the 21st century until nowadays. Also, it branded “silent distillery” category through whisky auction market, which is able to put a spotlight on the character of these whiskies.”
 
Mr. Daniel Lam
Bonhams fine & rare whisky specialist
 
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The 1978 Port Ellen is a true one-off single cask with unparalleled history. It was carefully selected by Dr. Craig Wilson, a world-class single cask master. The strict selection procedure guarantees that each drop of this whisky has been hand-selected from the most valuable and precious cask of whisky to be found in Port Ellen Distillery reserves.
 
 
“Looking back on the history of whisky flavor evolution over the past century, we clearly observe that an exquisite whisky never covers up its inimitable character of peat and smoke. Port Ellen is not only setting the benchmark of peat & smoke whisky, but is also benchmarking the next generation of distilleries.

Mr. Lu Ching Sheng
Whisky Collection Adviser
 
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“The 1978 Port Ellen is a true one-off single cask with unparalleled history. It is a rare survivor from a golden age after the Port Ellen Distillery closed in 1983. Its significance lies in the fact that it represents the definition and benchmark of peat and smoke whisky in the 70s century."

Mrs. Vivi Shen
Connoisseur & Collector in Greater China Area
 
 
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