Port Ellen 1977 18 Year Old Milroy's

Port Ellen 19 Year Old 1982 Provenance

This Port Ellen ‘spring’ bottling by McGibbon’s, under their Provenance label, has a full golden color. Sherry cask, maybe? The nose starts off creamy and lush. Typical oysters with salt and seaweeds are present, but also a nice touch of old leather and even orangettes (orange gum in chocolate, you know?). Yep, I’m pretty sure now it was a sherry...

Score 87/100

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 37 Year Old 1978 16th Release

When this whisky was poured during the Diageo Masterclass at Spirits in the Sky, the tension in the room was palpable. For many, this was the highlight of the tasting – or even the festival. And why not. It does not happen every day that one can try a bottle that will set you back 3000 EUR, right? Port Ellen always has had something magical. But...

Score 92/100

Port Ellen 1982 The Premier Barrel

Nose is smoky, grainy and with an alcohol burn. Body is not real heavy and rather light. While a nice dram, it just does not compare to other Port Ellens I have had. Still has that typical PE undertone but the complexity seems lost. No real depth to this. Strange. Kind of like the 2009 Lagavulin Cask Strenghth..good but one dimensional.

Score 80/100