Port Ellen 1978 25 Year Old Douglas Laing

Port Ellen Chieftain's 1982 25 Year Old

The Nose: Pears and pear cider. A honeyed sweetness, round, sweet cream and peat...less peat than I was expecting but it is there, softened and restrained, just showing the more elegant side of decayed vegetation. There are notes of wood smoke, a little tiny touch of vinegar and subtle, subtle mint hints. The Palate: Incredible, smooth, exquisite...

Score 98/100

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

Port Ellen 32 Year Old 1982 Malts of Scotland

The last bottle in this spring release by Malts of Scotland is one to make you smack your lips in anticipation: a 32 Year Old Port Ellen. Still a feisty 57,9% ABV, so brace yourselves. It was bottled in the Warehouse Diamonds series. This is, by the way, the 35th Port Ellen that I will taste. Lucky me! Camphor and mint come out first on this nose,...

Score 91/100

Port Ellen 26 Year Old 1982 Douglas Laing Old Malt Cask, ref DL4709

Douglas Laing, the independent bottler founded in 1949, has already released quite a few Port Ellen in their Old Malt Cask range. Each time, they bottle at the – according to them – ideal drinking strength of 50%. This 26 Year Old Port Ellen is no different. Hmmm, this nose is rather closed. Needs a few minutes to open up. Very grassy and farmy to...

Score 88/100