Port Ellen 29 Year Old 1979 Douglas Laing Old & Rare

The Platinum Selection from Douglas Laing is also known as Old & Rare. This Port Ellen definitely fits that description. Distilled in 1979, bottled at cask strength in 2009 at the age of 29. A gem, no doubt.

The first things that stands out on the nose is a slightly soury element that reminds me a bit of the mashtun. Or a wet sheep. Then citrus, peat and wet rocks join in, followed by vanilla and almond sweetness. Grapefruit! Some graphite. A little honey and slight bitterness. After a breather (for the whisky and me both!) some white fruit and caramel shines through. Need I say more? This is a complex lady and very, very pleasant.

Ha! What a full and creamy palate. Party!! Pretty spicy: pepper, ginger, liquorice. Very salty too. The balance between sweet, salty and oak is amazing. Citrus and nuts to the fore, vanilla and apples in the middle, walnuts at the end. All of this in a wonderful straight jacket of peat. Grrrrrreat!

The finish is quite punchy on salty limes and peat.

Port Ellen: always a pleasure to the senses. And this one is top shelf stuff! One of the best PE I have had the pleasure of getting acquainted with. Hence the monster score and the silly smile on my face.

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