What Affects The Price Of Port Ellen Annual Release Whisky
Do you want to know the value of your bottle of Port Ellen Annual Release whisky?
We can value your whisky and help you find the best price for your bottle if you are looking to sell your Port Ellen Annual Release whisky.
Discover The Value Of Your Port Ellen Annual Release Whisky
Mark Littler Ltd specialise in whisky. We can assist you with the valuation and sale of bottles of Port Ellen Annual Release whisky and can ensure you get the best price for your bottle.
We have brokered the sale of thousands of bottles of whisky and can use our expert industry knowledge to give you an honest, impartial price for your bottle of Port Ellen Annual Release.
If you are looking to sell your whisky we can source no obligation offers from our international network of buyers. We can also advise whether an auction or private sale will be best for you.
Mark Littler Ltd are proud to offer the highest level of expert advice to our clients and we have over 300 independent, five-star reviews.
Please use the valuation form to send us the information on your bottle in order for us to offer you a no obligation valuation on your bottle of Port Ellen Annual Release. You can also read our guide to selling your whisky online.
Free Valuation Request
What To Look For
The 9th Port Ellen Annual Release bottles onward feature a central label that shows the release number in red near the top of the label. 1-8 do not feature this number so keep an eye out for this missing detail! The bottles also feature the name Port Ellen, atop which sits the text “Established. 1825”. The address of Port Ellen sits underneath this.
The bottle will also feature the year of distilling, the age, the ABV, and the volume of the bottle.
The colour of the label varies depending on the release number; releases 1-8 have an off-white label, 9-17 have a cream-coloured label. Releases 9-17 also have a black band at the bottom of the label that shows the age statement of the whisky. Each bottling also comes with its own box.
The entire collection of Port Ellen Annual Release bottles now retails for around £40,000.
The Six Factors That Affect The Price Of Port Ellen Whisky
There are six factors that will affect the price of your bottle of Port Ellen Annual Release. These are the age of the whisky, the bottling date, the vintage, whether it is a single cask edition, the level of the whisky and the condition of the label and box.
Age of Whisky
This refers to the number of years the whisky has spent maturing in the cask, not how long it has been in the bottle. The age is indicated on the label and can vary from 5 to over 30 years old.
Bottling Date
This relates to when the whisky was bottled. As bottles from a specific year are consumed, the remaining bottles become rarer, so a ‘standard’ malt released in the 1980’s can become sought after.
Distillation Year
The distillation year refers to the specific year in which the whisky was distilled (made). It is one of the most important factors that can impact the price of your bottle of Port Ellen Annual Release.
Label & Packaging
The label on a bottle of Port Ellen Annual Release is very important and if it is damaged in any way then this will have a negative impact on the value. A bottle without its original box could be worth up to 30% less.
Level
The level of the whisky has a large impact on the value. It should be into the neck (the narrow part). As alcohol is more volatile than water it is the alcohol that will evaporate first, which damages the flavour.
Single Cask Bottlings
Single cask bottlings are generally more sought after, as by default they are unique. Look out for numbers on your bottle like XXX/250, which would indicate a single cask edition.
The Process of Selling Your Bottle Of Port Ellen Annual Release
The process to get a no-obligation quote for your bottle of whisky is easy.
Send us details about your bottle directly via email or use the form below.
We contact our international network of customers for the best offers.
If you decide to proceed with an offer we issue you with a contract.
Send us your bottle. We have a fully insured courier service available.
We complete the sale with the buyer and send your funds via BACS.
What is the price of your Port Ellen Annual Release whisky?
In order to provide you with an accurate valuation please provide as much of the below information as you can.
Bottle Selling FAQ
-
The easiest way for us to give you a price for your bottle of whisky is to send us a photograph of your bottle. The picture should be of the bottle standing up, please include the box if you have it.
We use the photograph to check:
- The condition of the bottle, label and box
- The level of the spirit, as this has the biggest effect on value and varies even if the bottle has not been opened
Please send you images to [email protected] or use the contact form below
-
Selling your whisky with Mark Littler Ltd is the same process as selling at auction, except you know the price you are going to achieve beforehand.
The process is simple:
- Once you have accepted an offer, we issue you a contract which you return with your bottle. You can use our fully insured courier service to send us your bottle (see below).
- Once we receive the bottle we arrange a meeting with the buyer and complete the sale.
- Once the sale is complete we send you the balance minus our commission, and postage charge if you decide to use our courier service. This is usually between 1 – 5 days after receiving the bottle.
Our commission is 10%, including VAT.
-
Once the contract has been signed you send your bottle to Mark Littler, you can arrange this yourself, or you can use our fully insured courier service.
Our courier service includes all packing material and is insured up to £40,000. It also includes a pre-paid return postage label and an instruction sheet on how to pack your bottle.
Once packed you simply drop the parcel at your local post office.
The cost for this service is £15.
-
When we have completed the sale we send the balance via BACS using the details you provide us in the contract.
Payment is usually between 1 – 5 days of receiving your bottle, the average is within 48 hours.
“I found Mark’s details online after looking to sell a collectable bottle of whisky. I was going to use a well know auction site but Mark secured an offer higher than the highest estimation from any auction house, within days, even after the 10% commission was deducted. Communication was perfect; punctual, to the point and polite. Collection and delivery were taken care of by Mark and instruction was clear and easy to follow. Payment was received to my bank within days of posting the bottle. I can’t recommend Mark enough; he runs a tight ship gets top end offers from his clients and delivers quickly.”
Rod Fountain, via Google
“Mark has been very helpful in helping me sell a bottle of whisky which was given to my father many years ago. He was very professional and was always quick to reply to my questions. Not knowing anything about whisky, Mark was there to offer some good advice and I believe he is very knowledgeable about his work. The sale was done very [quickly], and the money was in my bank account the next day. I would highly recommend his services.”
Kim Hendrickx, via Google
“Wow, what a refreshing change it was to meet Mark. He was the consummate professional with an approachable and warm personality who clearly had an in-depth knowledge of his subject which he used to give me a first-class service when I wanted to sell a whisky collection. For anyone who is considering any similar specialist whisky transactions I can certainly recommend him without reservation.”
Duncan Chambers, via Google
The History Of Port Ellen
Port Ellen distillery is located on the south coast of Islay and was opened in 1824 after being built by Alexander Mackay on the site of a malt mill. In 1836 the lease for the distillery was taken over by John Ramsay.
Ramsay, although very young at 21-years-old when he took over the lease, was a visionary. He became the business partner of the owner of Islay, Walter Frederick Campbell. The two started the bi-weekly ferry between Islay and Glasgow, making Port Ellen the island’s main ferry port, and whisky-making the island’s main business.
In 1869, the sales of Port Ellen were handed to W.P. Lowrie, the blender and broker who had a close working relationship with James Buchanan. At this time Port Ellen had already started to export whisky to the United States.
The distillery stayed in Ramsay’s family until 1920 when it was sold to the Port Ellen Distillery Co., formed by James Buchanan and John Dewar. This company then bought W.P. Lowrie’s company. In 1925 the ownership of Port Ellen passed to DCL (later Diageo) when Port Ellen Distillery Co. and W.P. Lowrie became part of the massive firm. In 1930 the distillery fell silent for over thirty years.
In 1973 new malting drums were built to service Diageo’s three Islay distilleries: Port Ellen, Caol Ila, and Lagavulin. The distillery was hit hard by a sharp decline in demand in the 80s. Smoky single malt drinkers were rare and single malts were rarely being considered for blends. The result was that Port Ellen closed for good in 1983.
Subsequent to its closure, prices for Port Ellen whisky have skyrocketed.
2017 saw the exciting announcement that Port Ellen distillery is to reopen following a £35 million investment by Diageo in Port Ellen and Brora, another silent distillery owned by the company. Diageo is keen to recreate the treasured Port Ellen style and so they are creating stills very similar to the ones that served Port Ellen in its first lifetime, as well as welcoming back former Port Ellen employees. It has been suggested by Diageo that the first release will be a 12-year-old in 2032.
Every year Diageo, the owners of Port Ellen, announce a number of special releases. From 2001 to 2017 these special releases included one bottle of Port Ellen per year. In total there are 17 bottles, and the collection has now become extremely collectible due to Diageo’s announcement that the annual releases are no more.
The collection includes a wide range of age statements from 22 to 37 years old. These bottles are some of the most collectible in the world.
Have you ever wondered what your bottle of Single Malt Scotch Whisky is worth?
Use this guide to find out more or get in touch using the form below for a free valuation.
Discover The Value Of Your Port Ellen Annual Release Whisky
Mark Littler Ltd specialise in whisky. We can assist you with the valuation and sale of bottles of Port Ellen Annual Release whisky and can ensure you get the best price for your bottle.
We have brokered the sale of thousands of bottles of whisky and can use our expert industry knowledge to give you an honest, impartial price for your bottle of Port Ellen Annual Release.
If you are looking to sell your whisky we can source no obligation offers from our international network of buyers. We can also advise whether an auction or private sale will be best for you.
Mark Littler Ltd are proud to offer the highest level of expert advice to our clients and we have over 300 independent, five-star reviews.
Please use the valuation form to send us the information on your bottle in order for us to offer you a no obligation valuation on your bottle of Port Ellen Annual Release. You can also read our guide to selling your whisky online.
Free Valuation Request
What To Look For
The 9th Port Ellen Annual Release bottles onward feature a central label that shows the release number in red near the top of the label. 1-8 do not feature this number so keep an eye out for this missing detail! The bottles also feature the name Port Ellen, atop which sits the text “Established. 1825”. The address of Port Ellen sits underneath this.
The bottle will also feature the year of distilling, the age, the ABV, and the volume of the bottle.
The colour of the label varies depending on the release number; releases 1-8 have an off-white label, 9-17 have a cream-coloured label. Releases 9-17 also have a black band at the bottom of the label that shows the age statement of the whisky. Each bottling also comes with its own box.
The entire collection of Port Ellen Annual Release bottles now retails for around £40,000.
The Six Factors That Affect The Price Of Port Ellen Whisky
There are six factors that will affect the price of your bottle of Port Ellen Annual Release. These are the age of the whisky, the bottling date, the vintage, whether it is a single cask edition, the level of the whisky and the condition of the label and box.
Age of Whisky
This refers to the number of years the whisky has spent maturing in the cask, not how long it has been in the bottle. The age is indicated on the label and can vary from 5 to over 30 years old.
Bottling Date
This relates to when the whisky was bottled. As bottles from a specific year are consumed, the remaining bottles become rarer, so a ‘standard’ malt released in the 1980’s can become sought after.
Distillation Year
The distillation year refers to the specific year in which the whisky was distilled (made). It is one of the most important factors that can impact the price of your bottle of Port Ellen Annual Release.
Label & Packaging
The label on a bottle of Port Ellen Annual Release is very important and if it is damaged in any way then this will have a negative impact on the value. A bottle without its original box could be worth up to 30% less.
Level
The level of the whisky has a large impact on the value. It should be into the neck (the narrow part). As alcohol is more volatile than water it is the alcohol that will evaporate first, which damages the flavour.
Single Cask Bottlings
Single cask bottlings are generally more sought after, as by default they are unique. Look out for numbers on your bottle like XXX/250, which would indicate a single cask edition.
The Process of Selling Your Bottle Of Port Ellen Annual Release
The process to get a no-obligation quote for your bottle of whisky is easy.
Send us details about your bottle directly via email or use the form below.
We contact our international network of customers for the best offers.
If you decide to proceed with an offer we issue you with a contract.
Send us your bottle. We have a fully insured courier service available.
We complete the sale with the buyer and send your funds via BACS.
What is the price of your Port Ellen Annual Release bottle?
In order to provide you with an accurate valuation please provide as much of the below information as you can.
Bottle Selling FAQ
-
The easiest way for us to give you a price for your bottle of whisky is to send us a photograph of your bottle. The picture should be of the bottle standing up, please include the box if you have it.
We use the photograph to check:
- The condition of the bottle, label and box
- The level of the spirit, as this has the biggest effect on value and varies even if the bottle has not been opened
Please send you images to [email protected] or use the contact form below
-
Selling your whisky with Mark Littler Ltd is the same process as selling at auction, except you know the price you are going to achieve beforehand.
The process is simple:
- Once you have accepted an offer, we issue you a contract which you return with your bottle. You can use our fully insured courier service to send us your bottle (see below).
- Once we receive the bottle we arrange a meeting with the buyer and complete the sale.
- Once the sale is complete we send you the balance minus our commission, and postage charge if you decide to use our courier service. This is usually between 1 – 5 days after receiving the bottle.
Our commission is 10%, including VAT.
-
Once the contract has been signed you send your bottle to Mark Littler, you can arrange this yourself, or you can use our fully insured courier service.
Our courier service includes all packing material and is insured up to £40,000. It also includes a pre-paid return postage label and an instruction sheet on how to pack your bottle.
Once packed you simply drop the parcel at your local post office.
The cost for this service is £15.
-
When we have completed the sale we send the balance via BACS using the details you provide us in the contract.
Payment is usually between 1 – 5 days of receiving your bottle, the average is within 48 hours.
Testimonials
“I found Mark’s details online after looking to sell a collectable bottle of whisky. I was going to use a well know auction site but Mark secured an offer higher than the highest estimation from any auction house, within days, even after the 10% commission was deducted. Communication was perfect; punctual, to the point and polite. Collection and delivery were taken care of by Mark and instruction was clear and easy to follow. Payment was received to my bank within days of posting the bottle. I can’t recommend Mark enough; he runs a tight ship gets top end offers from his clients and delivers quickly.”
Rod Fountain, via Google
“Mark has been very helpful in helping me sell a bottle of whisky which was given to my father many years ago. He was very professional and was always quick to reply to my questions. Not knowing anything about whisky, Mark was there to offer some good advice and I believe he is very knowledgeable about his work. The sale was done very [quickly], and the money was in my bank account the next day. I would highly recommend his services.”
Kim Hendrickx, via Google
“Wow, what a refreshing change it was to meet Mark. He was the consummate professional with an approachable and warm personality who clearly had an in-depth knowledge of his subject which he used to give me a first-class service when I wanted to sell a whisky collection. For anyone who is considering any similar specialist whisky transactions I can certainly recommend him without reservation.”
Duncan Chambers, via Google
The History Of Port Ellen Annual Release
Port Ellen distillery is located on the south coast of Islay and was opened in 1824 after being built by Alexander Mackay on the site of a malt mill. In 1836 the lease for the distillery was taken over by John Ramsay.
Ramsay, although very young at 21-years-old when he took over the lease, was a visionary. He became the business partner of the owner of Islay, Walter Frederick Campbell. The two started the bi-weekly ferry between Islay and Glasgow, making Port Ellen the island’s main ferry port, and whisky-making the island’s main business.
In 1869, the sales of Port Ellen were handed to W.P. Lowrie, the blender and broker who had a close working relationship with James Buchanan. At this time Port Ellen had already started to export whisky to the United States.
The distillery stayed in Ramsay’s family until 1920 when it was sold to the Port Ellen Distillery Co., formed by James Buchanan and John Dewar. This company then bought W.P. Lowrie’s company. In 1925 the ownership of Port Ellen passed to DCL (later Diageo) when Port Ellen Distillery Co. and W.P. Lowrie became part of the massive firm. In 1930 the distillery fell silent for over thirty years.
In 1973 new malting drums were built to service Diageo’s three Islay distilleries: Port Ellen, Caol Ila, and Lagavulin. The distillery was hit hard by a sharp decline in demand in the 80s. Smoky single malt drinkers were rare and single malts were rarely being considered for blends. The result was that Port Ellen closed for good in 1983.
Subsequent to its closure, prices for Port Ellen whisky have skyrocketed.
2017 saw the exciting announcement that Port Ellen distillery is to reopen following a £35 million investment by Diageo in Port Ellen and Brora, another silent distillery owned by the company. Diageo is keen to recreate the treasured Port Ellen style and so they are creating stills very similar to the ones that served Port Ellen in its first lifetime, as well as welcoming back former Port Ellen employees. It has been suggested by Diageo that the first release will be a 12-year-old in 2032.