Port Ellen 27yo 1982-2010 55.5% Old Bothwell cask#2558
Another pale Port Ellen, but last one of those was very good, and I believe Port Ellen absolutely makes it better in bourbon casks. This smells sort of briny, salty, old hard italian dry cheese, say well vintaged parmigiano. The taste is obviously peated, but the alcohol stings a bit and overshadows other flavours that pretty much stays in the background, I can detect som cod liver and raisins. I'll try some water in this one. Some time and water opens this one and some minty and herbalness comes out on the nose. The flavour is peppery and peaty with some minty sweetness, some weird but good stuff.
A good Port Ellen, if not a typical one in any way: 6.5
Port Ellen 26yo 1982-2008 46% Berry Bros.
A Port Ellen 1982 vertical today then, I believe Port Ellen bottles now has reached a prize far above justification. So this might be some of the last PE on my part then... Light colour, beautiful salty, coastal and a bit peaty nose, like the ocean winds blowing through a fire by the seaside(wow). The taste is sweet and peaty, a bit honeyed and lots of vanilla, banana, yoghurt cream, wonderful light whisky with some gentle peat in the background. The coastal character has disappeared but that doesn't really bother me in this one.
Port Ellens reaching these ages are usually solid gold: 9
Port Ellen 24yo 1982-2006 40% Connoisseurs Choice Gordon & Macphail
This has a recognizeable Port Ellen, Islay, nose. Smoke, choriander, honey, lots of salt, coastal. The taste on the other hand is extremely light and sweet for a peated Islay malt. It's just a bit too sweet to take seriously I'm afraid. That's partly, I guess, also due to the fact that it's been diluted down to 40% prior to bottling. The aftertaste is short and sweet,
Islay childrens booze: 4
Port Ellen 28yo 1983-2009 53.5% Old Bothwell for Thosop Bvba cask 221
Aaah, good old Port Ellen, now let's see if it blows me away this time. A wonderful nose, much coastal things going on here, salt, salted haddock, shrimps and fish stock. The taste continues on very salty notes, but maybe the alcohol level is showing a bit too much. It's just perfectly dry and the aftertaste is just slightly salty once again.
A beautiful old Port Ellen: 8
Port Ellen 23yo 1983-2006 50% Old Malt Cask Douglas Laing
Another OMC today, this one from Douglas Laing who seems to be sitting on many Port Ellen casks. It's very pale, unusually light coloured, white wine? It's smells a lot like burnt rubber, very smoky with a sting. The taste is a hundred percent Port Ellen, it's like some of the older bottlings, a bit more coastal than the 1th-9th release. And I think that the modest and good salty and herbal flavours of Port Ellen works very well together with the peat in this one, and the result is a very fine balanced malt.
I'll have this any day: 8
Port Ellen 24yo 1975-1999 43% Signatory Vintage cask 1768 btl. 272/1250
This one's a pale and a bit hazy Port Ellen, with 24 years maturation, I suggest this to be bourbon matured. A peaty and strong smell, some vanilla, bourbon. It has a very coastal character, much saltiness, black caviar, sushi and scallops. The aftertaste is quite short with some peat and chilli.
Good, but there are many better PE's out there: 7
Port Ellen 17yo 1980-1997 40% CC G&M
Port Ellen is unfortunately becoming harder and harder to get a hold of. Clear odors of sea, mussels, pan-fried onions and sweet nuts. Lots of good fragrances, pistachio, shallots and parsley. Islay flavours combined with a nice herbal twist.
One to buy before it's too late, or too expensive: 9
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