Family-owned Scotch whisky distiller, blender and bottler Hunter Laing & Co. has just released the first in a brand-new three-part bottling series, comprising limited-edition bottlings of whiskies from Port Ellen distillery.
The series has been named 'Eidolon', which in ancient Greek literature refers to a recollection of something memorable from history. Hunter Laing’s Eidolon series is being launched in anticipation of the closed Port Ellen distillery being ‘brought back to life’ as distillery owners Diageo plan to resume production in the near future.
The new Port Ellen Islay Single Malt was distilled in 1983, shortly before the legendary Islay distillery was to close, and there are only 638 bottles available to purchase, making it strictly limited.
Hunter Laing & Co. is known for its cask stocks of rare aged whiskies, particularly from Islay. Founder Stewart Laing’s own father was particularly fond of Port Ellen Distillery whilst it was in operation, and laid down casks of its spirit for long-term maturation.
Hunter Laing & Co.’s managing director, 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 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 (business development director and export director, respectively) agreed, commenting: “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. We are now thrilled that this exceptional malt can be experienced as the first bottling under the Eidolon series.”
As with all of Hunter Laing’s rarest independent bottlings, the Eidolon series is presented at natural cask strength and without artificial colouring or chill-filtration. The 53.5% ABV Eidolon first release can be found at specialist retailers worldwide and on the Ardnahoe Distillery online shop.
The series has been named 'Eidolon', which in ancient Greek literature refers to a recollection of something memorable from history. Hunter Laing’s Eidolon series is being launched in anticipation of the closed Port Ellen distillery being ‘brought back to life’ as distillery owners Diageo plan to resume production in the near future.
The new Port Ellen Islay Single Malt was distilled in 1983, shortly before the legendary Islay distillery was to close, and there are only 638 bottles available to purchase, making it strictly limited.
Hunter Laing & Co. is known for its cask stocks of rare aged whiskies, particularly from Islay. Founder Stewart Laing’s own father was particularly fond of Port Ellen Distillery whilst it was in operation, and laid down casks of its spirit for long-term maturation.
Hunter Laing & Co.’s managing director, 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 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 (business development director and export director, respectively) agreed, commenting: “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. We are now thrilled that this exceptional malt can be experienced as the first bottling under the Eidolon series.”
As with all of Hunter Laing’s rarest independent bottlings, the Eidolon series is presented at natural cask strength and without artificial colouring or chill-filtration. The 53.5% ABV Eidolon first release can be found at specialist retailers worldwide and on the Ardnahoe Distillery online shop.
