Port Ellen 34 Years Old 1982 Cask #DL 11481 (XOP)

A Port Ellen single malt, selected and bottled by Douglas Laing, aged 34 year old, from 1982, drawn from cask DL 11481 and bottled at 48.5%. 219 bottles in all. Built in 1825 beside the bay at Port Ellen on Islay, Port Ellen was closed in 1983 and long mourned. Its reputation only grew as the casks ran down.

The barley was heavily peated, dried over smoke from Islay's own peat, made in onion shaped stills on soft Islay water, for a peat reek tempered by salt and citrus. Refill bourbon wood held the spirit, flattering its citric, oily smoke. Very old Port Ellen turns ethereal, the smoke faded to embers over honeyed oak. Coastal warehousing lends a saline, maritime note as the spirit breathes by the sea. The peat came from Islay's own Duich Moss, localising the whole character. For years the spirit went quietly into blends before its single malt became a legend.

At a natural 48.5% it is powerful and oily. Drifting Islay peat smoke carries salted citrus and a soft wax, with a thread of vanilla from the bourbon wood. Soft embers and brine sit behind the smoke. It fades on smoke, citrus and a saline tang. This is spirit from the lost years of Port Ellen, finite for good.