Rare Malts Selection Port Ellen 1978 Aged 20 Years Old

Style: Smoky Sweet and Spicy

Rating: ☆☆☆ [Most Recommended]

Nose:

Herbal spirit sent into hyperdrive with immense energy, that's the Port Ellen I know. Bone dry herbs, white chalk, red chilli, minerals and peppercorn forming a mighty undercurrent. Sweet Valencia orange, malt and chocolate eclairs building on top. Green moss, oak and just a few drops of white vinegar and damp peat pincer from the sides while limoncello, more fragrant and round citrus sweetness overflowing on the top. Pepper dust lingers in the chamber.

Palate:

Explosive burst of flavour, intensity and spice at maximum level. White flower, orange citrus skating on black liquorice and hay stacks. Toffee and more limoncello cascading onto coriander seeds, celery, pepper and white oak. Maritime waves rolling in from distance, kelp, sweet malt pulsing beautifully at the core. Chocolate cookies and dried red fruits emerging, dried apricots and pears dipped in molten milk chocolate.

Finish:

Raisin chocolate, scorched earth and dying ashes. More chocolate eclairs and mocha traces.

Thoughts:

The raw power of Port Ellen is always respected and feared, but without it there is no foundation to create an expression that is so grand and majestic, that’s probably why I am so drawn to this distillery. I think this Rare Malt is bottled on the greener side, especially if you compare this with the peak Port Ellens at the final few years of Special Releases, nonetheless, it remains a top level drop. Now I just hope the new Port Ellen can achieve this feat again, and hopefully it will not take another 35 years.

[60.9% | 1978 Distilled | 1998 Bottled | Vatting | Limited Edition | Bottle Number: 2793 | Natural Cask Strength | ***-]