Port Ellen 24 Year Old 1982 A.D. Rattray

You do not often see Port Ellen on sherry. This bottling was released some 12 years ago by Dewar Rattray (A.D. Rattray nowadays) by order of the Belgian importer The Nectar. I presume it was the part of a cask as only 168 bottles were available. The angels are not that greedy.

Sweet nose with clear influences of the sea. Think seaweed, salt, peat and the beach after rain. But, it has to be said, underneath are also clear hints of paint, a rusted fence and some tobacco leaves. Some silver polish and Pacari Los Rioc chocolate (from Eduador, recommended!), espresso and strawberry liqueur. Very special and it almost sounds as if this could not possible work, but it does. Interesting nose.

It is creamy, powerful and surprising. Sweet versus salt, white fruit and citrus next to stockfish and sea weeds. The peat is very outspoken. Tastes like it was poured from a can. Salt & pepper in a headlock with toffee. A bitter edge of the wood makes it picture perfect.

All this goodness continues in the wonderful and very long finish. At the death, it’s like there is a slice of apple sprinkled with salt on my tongue.

Boy, oh, boy, this is very good indeed. Complex and intriguing. Wake me up, before you go-go!

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