Port Ellen 33 Years Old 1982 Cask #DL 11120 (XOP)

Single malt Port Ellen, an independent Douglas Laing bottling matured to 33 year old, from 1982, drawn from cask DL 11120 and bottled at 55.6%. Only 198 bottles were released. Port Ellen stood on Islay's southern coast near the village of Port Ellen from its founding in 1825 until it was 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. An ex-Bourbon hogshead held it, the soft oak letting the Islay character lead. At this great age the peat is a ghostly whisper over beeswax, old oak and sea salt. The peat phenols fade only slowly, which is why even very old Port Ellen keeps its smoke.

At a hearty 55.6% it carries real weight. Gentle oak vanilla beneath the smoke, 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 prized stock from a distillery reborn only in 2024.