Port Ellen 26 Year Old 1982 Douglas Laing Old Malt Cask, ref DL4709

Douglas Laing, the independent bottler founded in 1949, has already released quite a few Port Ellen in their Old Malt Cask range. Each time, they bottle at the – according to them – ideal drinking strength of 50%. This 26 Year Old Port Ellen is no different.

Hmmm, this nose is rather closed. Needs a few minutes to open up. Very grassy and farmy to start with, with only a hint of peat and silt. Discreet (one might even say weak). After a bit of patience you’ll get a very sweet nose. Yes, the longer you leave it, the better it becomes.

Very punchy on the palate. Pepper and a lot of salt. Citrus and peat. Classic Port Ellen always brings a smile to my face. Boy, this is good.

The finish lingers and is very spicy and it dies a very salty death.

The nose is the only weakness of the otherwise wonderful PE. Thanks, Foamy, for the sample.

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