Port Ellen 12 Year Old Douglas Murdoch Independent Bottling

Port Ellen 27 Year Old 1983 Douglas of Drumlanrig

Eighteen months ago I took part in a Douglas of Drumlanrig tasting in Gent, but this Port Ellen lacked in the line-up. I do not need to tell you that 1983 is the year in which the distillery closed, right? So this is one of the last casks that was filled. Nice mineral and salty nose with underneath some Granny Smith apples and something yeasty....

Score 85/100

Port Ellen 25 Year Old 1982 Douglas Laing Old & Rare

The Platinum Selection from Douglas Laing is also known as Old & Rare. This Port Ellen has been bottled about six years ago, before that it had matured for a quarter century. Smoke and citrus, those are the two main aromas that I get on this creamy nose. Then something that reminds me of Mandarine Napoléon (Belgian mandarin liqueur), softly...

Score 90/100

Port Ellen 1979 24 Year Old 3rd Release (2003)

Nose: this is the sharper, flinty / mineral kind of Port Ellen, although it’s not an extreme example. It has a slightly pungent profile that I associate with wet limestone, lemon and cut grass. Ethereal hints of nail polish as well. Quite some alcohol. It misses the feminine side of vanilla that softens the 7th or 9th release. Evolves on...

Score 91/100

Port Ellen 1978 29 Year Old 8th Release (2008)

Official Port Ellen is fast becoming unaffordable. Hence I count myself lucky to have so many whisky buddies who are willing to share. I once had a bottle of the 7th Release, but that is long gone. Today I can put the 8th and 9th Release head-to-head. This 8th Release was bottled in 2008. The nose is soft, but expressive. Loads of citrus and...

Score 90/100