It's one of those 26-27yo's that didn't receive much pr when it first was released, mainly due to that in 2008-2010 were released a huge array of different IB Port Ellens. And which ones got the most attention, I feel, often could just as well be a result of the range it was released as the quality of the spirit. The color is golden, with no shine, which means its natural color. It smells dry, wheat, salty, bitter vinegar, burnt, rotting eggs, hay, I must be honest, I find this one a bit difficult, I guess it comes from some very bitter sherried cask. Fino? I'll admit, on another occasion I'd just might go for a dilution before trying this neat. Well, when neat it is surprisingly fresh, potato starch, peat smoke, dry, leather, smoked pork grease, black pepper, heather, I'm leaning more towards this coming from bourbon oak, but a very tired one in that case. Let's add water. Now it turns sweeter, mango, caramel, creamy banana, vanilla, peaty notes, burnt rubber, ashes, a rather nice mix of dry peaty notes and tropical fruits. Nowhere near as coastal and Islay-driven as many of the best PE's, but this is still a fine dram. The finish is oaky and peaty, just shy of plain boring.
You could easily trick me into thinking this was an Old Ballantruan or anything alike: 6.5
Next tasting: Kilchoman Distillery