Port Ellen 29 Years Old 1979 Old & Rare The Platinum Selection (Douglas Laing)

This Port Ellen was from the independent bottler Douglas Laing, aged 29 year old, from 1979 and bottled at 53.2%. 270 bottles in all. Built in 1825 on Islay's southern coast near the village of Port Ellen, Port Ellen was closed in 1983 in the whisky downturn. Port Ellen distilled again from 2024, yet this is spirit from the closed era.

Heavily peated malt, kilned over Islay peat, set the smoky tone and run through copper pot stills on soft island water, for the austere, structured peat the malt is known for. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood holding back so the peat speaks. Decades have eased the peat to a soft reek over beeswax and old oak. Port Ellen was matured largely in refill casks, which sharpen the smoke and leave the malt a touch austere. For years the spirit went quietly into blends before its single malt became a legend.

Bottled at a cask strength 53.2%, it is intense. A graceful Islay smoke runs over lemon peel and sea brine, with a light vanilla from the refill oak. The mouthfeel is oily, the smoke carried on a waxy body. The finish smoulders gently, oily and long. This is stock from the legendary closed era, ever scarcer.