Pe5 Elements of Islay

Port Ellen 14 Year Old 1983 Signatory Vintage

In December I tried a Port Ellen for the first time in years. No surprise as it does not cross my path that often and I am not willing to give up my left arm for a bottle. This cult whisky is now so expensive. But it really reignited my interest, so I bought me a couple of samples and enjoyed them over the weekend. Let me start with this golden...

Score 88/100

Port Ellen 26 Year Old 1983 Milano Festival 2009

How many whisky festivals have ever bottled a Port Ellen, I wonder. Not many, I presume. But in 2009 the visitors of the Milano Whisky Festival were able to purchase this 26 years old Port Ellen at cask strength. Something like this would be impossible today, for the simple fact that it would be prohibitively expensive. Sturdy nose on white fruit...

Score 86/100

Port Ellen 26 Year Old 1982 Douglas Laing Old Malt Cask

In 2009 the Belgian importer The Nectar bottled this Port Ellen. Only 193 bottles were available and obviously those are all gone. Thanks to a Dutch friend, I was able to secure a sample. Oh, lovely nose on sweet and sour fruit (think mandarin, cider apples and lime) with a soft touch of vanilla and clear hints of pine cones. Once you get past...

Score 92/100

Port Ellen 1978 27 Year Old 6th Release (2006)

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 90/100