Port Ellen 28 Years Old 1983 The Islay Trail (Alba Import)

The Islay Trail

700ml / 53.4%

Single Malt

$1901

A 28 year old Islay malt from Port Ellen from 1983 released by Alba Import, at 53.4%. Smoky and maritime, with soft Islay smoke with lemon and wax. Long aged smoke of real class. Peat reek tempered by sea and citrus. A scarce survivor of the 1983 silence. Closed era spirit, finite and prized. From a distillery the whisky world long mourned.

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SKU PEL024 Categories Islay, Port Ellen, Scottish Whisky, Whiskey Brand: Port Ellen

Description

This is a Port Ellen single malt, chosen and bottled by Alba Import, a 28 year old Islay malt, from 1983 and bottled at 53.4%. The legendary Port Ellen, established in 1825 on Islay's southern coast near the village of Port Ellen, was closed in 1983 in the whisky downturn. Annual Special Releases through Diageo sealed its mythic status.

Islay peat dried the malt, lending the spirit its coastal smoke, giving the elegant, structured smoke that set Port Ellen apart. The spirit was run through copper pot stills on soft island water. An ex-Bourbon hogshead held it, the soft oak letting the Islay character lead. Long ageing leaves a mellow smoke, a lanolin wax and a maritime depth. The long sleep concentrates the smoke and builds a lanolin, waxy texture. The closed years only deepened the legend around the malt. A whisky measured now in dwindling casks rather than fresh spirit.

At cask strength 53.4% it is muscular. Light oak sweetness underneath, while a gently medicinal smoke carries oily lemon, brine and a lanolin wax. It is elegant and deep, the peat folded into the malt. Embers and sea salt see out a long finish. This is one of the great ghost whiskies of Islay.