Port Ellen 15 Years Old 1982 Cask #2585 + 2586 (Signatory)

This is a Port Ellen single malt, chosen and bottled by Signatory Vintage at 15 year old, from 1982, drawn from cask 2585 + 2586 and bottled at 43%. A release of 860 bottles. Port Ellen was first founded in 1825 on Islay's southern coast near the village of Port Ellen and closed in 1983 in the whisky downturn. The Port Ellen maltings survived the closure and still supply Islay.

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. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, the classic wood for Port Ellen. Around two decades in oak knit the smoke with the wood into a maritime, citrus edged malt. The long sleep concentrates the smoke and builds a lanolin, waxy texture.

At 43% it is supple and elegant. Light oak sweetness underneath, while a briny peat smoke carries oily lemon, brine and a lanolin wax. It is elegant and deep, the peat folded into the malt. Deep and elegant, the smoke lingers long. This is a vanishing dram from Islay's most storied closed distillery.