Port Ellen 32 years 1983 - 2014 15th Release

Port Ellen was founded in 1825 as a malt house and then developed into a distillery from 1833 to 1892 under the leadership of John Ramsay. The warehouses he built are still listed. The distillery was taken over by the Distillers Company Limited in 1925, closed in 1930 and rebuilt in 1966/1967. Production continued through the 1970s and closed in 1983, although single malt whisky is still available. When Port Ellen closed in 1983, Diageo demolished some of the buildings, reused others and destroyed the stills.

Origin and bottling

Distilled in the last year the distillery was open, 1983, and finally bottled in the year 2015 after a 32-year maturation. This is the 15th edition from the Annual Release series. Only 2964 bottles were released, making it very exclusive.

Cask type

Casks used exclusively for this Single Malt Whisky were previously used in America in the Bourbon industry, Bourbon Oak Casks.

Tasting note

Colour

Straw yellow

Nose

Intense and full-bodied. It starts with a softly sweet smell of vanilla. The bourbon casks has clearly done its best. Later, salty caramel emerges. Of course, the smoky notes also do their best to reach the nose. Seaweed, sea breeze, sea salt, had I mentioned it's like walking on the beach ;-). Fruit notes like citrus and yellow fruit also make this into a whole. The balance is perfect.

Taste

Very intense, rich and very pleasant. The smoke scent and seaweed peat ensures we have no doubt this is a Port Ellen. Hint of leather and again the beach notes that give character to this Single Malt Whisky.

Finish

Lots of smoke and sweet wood remains on the palate. The alcohol also adds character to the finish.

Overall impression

Not a classic Port Ellen, but a very nice one. Every sp is enjoyment.

This Port Ellen 15th Release has an average score of 92.10/100 points on WhiskyBase

Limited Edition Bottle No. 965

Read Serge Valentin's tasting note on his website www.WhiskyFun.com here.

He rated this Single Malt Whisky with 92/100 points.