Port Ellen 36 Years Old 1983 Eidolon (Hunter Laing)

From Hunter Laing comes this Port Ellen matured to 36 year old, from 1983 and bottled at 53.5%. Just 638 bottles were filled. Port Ellen stood on the Kildalton shore of Islay from its founding in 1825 until it was brought to a halt in 1983. Most of its make once went to blends, but its single malt became the prize.

Distilled in onion shaped copper pot stills on Leorin Lochs water, yielding the poised, maritime smoke of classic Port Ellen. Refill ex-Bourbon casks held the spirit, the wood Port Ellen is most often found in. Very old Port Ellen turns ethereal, the smoke faded to embers over honeyed oak. Refill wood flatters Port Ellen, holding back the vanilla so the smoke and citrus speak. The spirit breathed sea air through long maturation on the island. Walter Frederick Campbell laid out the village of Port Ellen in 1821.

Bottled at a cask strength 53.5%, it is intense. 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.