Port Ellen 1981 18 Year Old Old Malt Cask Sherry Douglas Laing

Port Ellen 1978 / 22 Year Old / Rare Malts

Let’s finish this line-up of Port Ellen samples with this official bottling from the famous Rare Malts Selection (the predecessor of the Diageo Special Releases). It has spent almost as much time in the bottle as it did in the cask. I sometimes see this bottle at auctions, but it will then set you back between 950 and 1500 EUR. Take your time for...

Score 94/100

Port Ellen 1979/2011 32 Year Old 11th Annual Release

Port Ellen distillery was founded in 1825 on the southern shore of Islay by Alexander Kerr Mackay. Between 1825 and 1836 ownership of the distillery changed a couple of times, but after John Ramsay was granted a lease on Port Ellen in 1836 it was operated by him and his descendants until the distillery was sold to the Port Ellen Distillery Co....

Score 88/100

Port Ellen 31 Year Old 1982 Douglas Laing Old Particular

What can I say? Port Ellen is one of the few whiskies that almost constantly lives up to its cult status. So I was very much looking forward to this one, as only a dozen of bottles were destined for the Belgian market. The peat on the nose is sweet and mellow. Some salmiak, liquorice and flints. Mild smokiness. Underneath a wonderful fruitiness on...

Score 91/100

Port Ellen Part Des Anges 1982 - 24 Year Old

I had a sip of this particular malt a couple of years ago at a friends birthday and did not know what to make of it. But that had nothing to do with the malt - it was my unseasoned palate which could not truly appreciate this wonderful spirit. The nose is lovely understated peat with a beautiful lemon honey sweetness. All of this is covered in a...

Score 92/100