Port Ellen 32 Year Old 1982 Malts of Scotland

The last bottle in this spring release by Malts of Scotland is one to make you smack your lips in anticipation: a 32 Year Old Port Ellen. Still a feisty 57,9% ABV, so brace yourselves. It was bottled in the Warehouse Diamonds series. This is, by the way, the 35th Port Ellen that I will taste. Lucky me!

Camphor and mint come out first on this nose, that balances between sweet and salty. Loads of ginger, some vanilla and then the typical sea salt manifests itself. This is exquisite. Sniffing tobacco and candied oranges give it some extra sweetness. After a few moments it even becomes creamy, almost waxy. Slightly overripe banana? Beautiful! I added some water, which made the tobacco more prominent, but also a hint of plasticine emerges. That was not a good idea.

The arrival is indeed wonderfully creamy and sweet on lemongrass and candied oranges. Then the peat takes the lead. Very smoky and salty on the palate. Peppery as well, with a hint of chili. Again ginger, upholstered with some liquorice. Diluted I get more oak, but also more salt.

The finish is wonderfully long, smoky and salty.

What can I say? Another wonderful Port Ellen, but best not add water. Just under 800 EUR, which is the new norm for Port Ellen. Unfortunately, for this is a great whisky. But certainly not a whisky for everyone’s purse.

Find where to buy Port Ellen whisky