Port Ellen 24yo 1979/2003 (57.3%, OB, ‘Annual Release, 9,000 Bts.)

The 3rd annual release by the owners and long since snapped up by collectors and the from a closed distillery. The nose has hints of peat smoke and juniper, heather, honey and cocoa (however not a tremendous amount, simply a waft or two). The peat smoke is not assertive and dominant but well integrated with the various aromas and the combination of the team work makes for a terrific whisky experience. A little hand warming merely intensifies the afore mentioned descriptors. The taste is strong and peated however it is also very honeyed with a good backing from the juniper along with some black pepper and chilies. It’s sensational and port Ellen at its best. If they knew what the distillery was capable of would they have closed it? The finish is gently peated with the juniper and the honey; this is proving to be a bit of a broken record but it all points to a very well balanced whisky. The peat smoke and the honey are present for quite a while and at the latter stages some really good malt and cocoa put in an appearance. Further down the road some coal smoke arrives mixed with malt; like scooping a handful of malted peated barley right from the kiln.

There didn’t seem to be any point to adding water…it’s ill disciplined but enough is as good as a feast as they say..sensational whisky.

$325

or £250.00 at the Whisky Exchange http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/P-4261.aspx

Score 93 points

The fifth and last in series of Scotch whisky reviews this week that feature samples from 24 years of age to 41 years of age.