Port Ellen 1970 16 Year Old 61.1 75cl INT

Port Ellen 40 Year Old 1979 Untold Stories - 9 Rogue Casks

In May last year, it tasted my best – but unfortunately also most expensive – Port Ellen ever. It was the 39 years old The Spirit Safe, bottled in 2018. This second edition in the Untold Stories – 9 Rogue Casks – is even more limited. There are only 1380 bottles in the world. It was presented during the (virtual) Feis Ile 2020 and is a vatting of...

Score 93/100

Pe1 Elements of Islay

Elements of Islay is a special series of Islay whiskies from Specialty Drinks Company Ltd (sister company of The Whisky Exchange), in which the whisky is presented in small 50 cl bottles (called ‘pharmacy’, what’s in a name?). They already bottled Ardbeg (Ar1, Ar2), Bruichladdich (Br1), Caol Ila (CI1), Lagavulin (Lg1, Lg2) and at the recent TWE...

Score 91/100

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 22 Year Old 1983 Douglas Laing Old Malt Cask

When winter arrives, I always try some Islay whiskies. Makes sense, right? And Port Ellen samples are always something to look forward to. I keep them for last. Let me start with this 22 Year Old from the Old Malt Cask series by Douglas Laing. The nose is clean, but very salty and slightly medicinal. A small sweetness in the shape of almonds,...

Score 89/100