Port Ellen Distillery (Closed 1983)
ABV 58%
Austere, pretty challenging. Finished, I suspect, to inject some fruity life into its dry bones.
Dave Broom
Signatory
Brand
1978, Port Wood
Expression
Single Malt
Type
No age statement
Age (Years)
58%
ABV
Islay
Region/Country
Independent Bottling
Bottling Type
Taster
Nose: Another of those pink whiskies, yet it smells of iodine, tar and fish oil. Water brings out peat-smoked apricots. In time there's raspberry leaf and Spangles scattered over a stony beach. Weirdly interesting.
Palate: The smoke hits immediately, then some light but concentrated fruitiness. Still very tense and dry.
Finish: Wood and peat smoke. Singed wool.
Comment: Austere, pretty challenging. Finished, I suspect, to inject some fruity life into its dry bones.
Score: 7.8
Taster
Nose: A kitchen garden. Floral, herbal. Jasmine. Chervil. A garden after a summer shower. Juicy grapefruit pulp. Shellfish, smoked haddock. Tar.
Palate: Light and appetising. Sweet cherries. A much fruitier version than usual. Smoke is less distinct than on the nose. Distant seaweed notes.
Finish: Tangy. Sherbety. A fruity note.
Comment: Typical fragrant, alert Port Ellen, but the port finish lends more fruit and an amazing orangey-pinkish colour.
Score: 8.8
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