Port Ellen 27 Years Old 1978 Old & Rare The Platinum Selection (Douglas Laing)

Single malt Port Ellen, an independent Douglas Laing bottling, a 27 year old from 1978 and bottled at 55.3%. A release of 375 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.

The malt was peated hard over Islay peat cut from Duich Moss, 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. At this age the smoke turns gentle and oily, the spirit deep, briny and refined. The peat phenols fade only slowly, which is why even very old Port Ellen keeps its smoke. The drum maltings built in 1973 still turn out barley for Islay today.

At a hearty 55.3% it carries real weight. 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 a vanishing dram from Islay's most storied closed distillery.