This baby scored 93 in my book but that was eleven or twelve years ago (if you say how time flies, I’ll kill you – haha). Colour: gold. Nose: yeah well, as I said, it’s close to the Alambic, with maybe more roundness (no it’s no rounded whisky) and a slightly wider profile. So brine and tar up and rather less flints and paraffin. A little more fresh walnuts and apple peelings as well. Diesel oil, a little vanilla from the wood that I wouldn’t have noticed without having first tried the very naked DL. With water: nearly perfect. Once again, no complex whisky but who needs more than brine, tarry smoke, lemon and almonds/putty in perfect synch? Mouth (neat): that’s where this one scores better when undiluted, it’s all a massive, extremely salty and hugely tarry and liquoricy spirit. Wheelbarrows of salted liquorice and when I write salted, that’s an understatement. With water: purfektion. Fab peat – tar – salt – lemon – combo, with crates and crates of kippers behind all that. Finish: long, on exactly the same notes. A feeling of fullness. Comments: I can’t see why I would score this baby differently this time. Loved it and love it. SGP:448 - 93 points.
Distillery | Port Ellen |
Classification | Single Malt Whisky |
Bottle No./ Released | 2706/- |
Vintage | 1978 |
Age | 22 |
Bottler | Official Bottling |
Bottling Date | 2000 |
ABV/ Volume | 60.5%/ 70cl |
Rating/SGP | 93/448 |
Cask Number | - |
Type: Closed 1983 - Islay