Port Ellen 33 Years Old 1983 The First Editions Authors’ Series (Edition Spirits)

From Edition Spirits comes this Port Ellen matured to 33 year old, from 1983 and bottled at 55.9%. Only 142 bottles were released. Port Ellen stood by the sea on Islay's south shore from its founding in 1825 until it was silenced in 1983 when Islay had one distillery too many. Most of its make once went to blends, but its single malt became the prize.

Drawn off traditional pot stills fed by the Leorin Lochs, to build a smoke at once oily, briny and refined. An Oloroso sherry cask wrapped the smoke in dried fruit and a nutty depth. Very old Port Ellen turns ethereal, the smoke faded to embers over honeyed oak. The slow loss of the angel's share, a percent or two each year, has concentrated the liquid over decades. The peat came from Islay's own Duich Moss, localising the whole character.

Bottled at a cask strength 55.9%, it is intense. The Oloroso brings smoked fig, raisin and walnut, and crystallised lemon and a salty tang ride on a soft maritime smoke, with a touch of vanilla and cream from the wood. A crystallised lemon and a saline tang lift the smoke. A waxy, gently medicinal finish lingers long. This is a collectable relic of a cult Islay name.