Port Ellen 7th Release

This Port Ellen, an official release,, a 28 year old Islay malt, from 1979 and bottled at 53.8%. Only 5274 bottles were released. The legendary Port Ellen, built in 1825 by the sea on Islay's south shore, 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. A refill American oak cask held it, keeping the distillery character to the fore. Long ageing leaves a mellow smoke, a lanolin wax and a maritime depth. Refill wood flatters Port Ellen, holding back the vanilla so the smoke and citrus speak. The refined, citric smoke set it apart from its more medicinal Islay neighbours. Laid down before 1983, this is spirit from a distillery that stood silent for forty years.

Bottled at a cask strength 53.8%, it is intense. Lemon zest and coastal salt ride on a smoky, mineral note, with a whisper of coconut from the cask. It is structured and a touch austere, the refill oak keeping it lean. Salt, smoke and wax draw out the close. This is a rare survivor of the 1983 closure.