Port Ellen 26 Years Old 1983 Cask #232 (Signatory)

Single malt Port Ellen, an independent Signatory Vintage bottling, aged 26 year old, from 1983, drawn from cask 232 and bottled at 54.7%. Only 587 bottles were released. Port Ellen stood on Islay's rocky southern seaboard from its founding in 1825 until it was mothballed for good in 1983. Annual Special Releases through Diageo sealed its mythic status.

The malt was peated hard over Islay peat cut from Duich Moss, for a smoke more graceful than its Islay neighbours. The spirit was worked through copper pot stills by the sea. A refill American oak cask held it, keeping the distillery character to the fore. Long ageing leaves a mellow smoke, a lanolin wax and a maritime depth. Long, cool maturation in Islay warehouses lets the smoke knit slowly with the oak. Three Islay distilleries proved one too many, and this was the one to close.

At a hearty 54.7% it carries real weight. Gentle oak vanilla beneath the smoke, while an elegant, structured smoke carries brine, wax and a mineral edge. A lanolin wax and a coastal salinity give it real weight. The finish runs oily, saline and slow. This is prized stock from a distillery reborn only in 2024.