|
<< Return to Complete Buyer's Guide List.
91
The McGibbons Provenance (distilled at Port Ellen, 19 year old, 1982, 62.5%)
Amber color. Full aroma of peat smoke, with interwoven notes of seaweed, burning leaves, leather, and fudge. Medium in body, with a slight oily texture. Powerful and evolving in flavor, with great depth. It begins somewhat sweet up front with notes of vanilla and toffee, followed by a peat smoke explosion. Lingering notes of seaweed, oak, salt and pepper add complexity. Finally, the whisky becomes slightly sweet again, with lingering smoke.
Style: Islay single malt scotch. Price: $110. Very limited availability (imported by Heartland Wine & Spirits Group, 877/472-6327).
A classic mature Port Ellen. This whisky is getting more rare with each passing year. Stock up while you can.
(2nd Quarter 2002 Issue-Vol. 11#2)
90
Port Ellen, 1979 vintage, 28 year old, 53.8%, $300)
The seventh limited edition release of Port Ellen whiskies by Diageo. Not as vibrant and intense as younger bottlings (particularly on the nose), but nicely matured with a satisfying sweet foundation. Notes of toffee and roasted nuts permeate though the peat kiln smoke, coal tar, fish nets, and charred oak. Seaweed and brine, more reserved mid-palate, emerges noticeably on the finish. The Port Ellen bottlings are getting older (the distillery closed in 1983) and they are getting more expensive. This one still captures the essence of Port Ellen.
(1st Quarter 2008 Issue-Vol. 17#1)
89
Provenance (distilled at Port Ellen), 21 year old, 1982 vintage, 46%, $195
One of the last remaining vintages from an Islay distillery which will be missed dearly. This is obviously from a sherry cask, and the peat smoke, sherry, and oak-aging is married nicely here. It a brooding Port Ellen. Notes of peat fires, fig, kippers, toffee, vanilla, and dry oak take turns entertaining the palate. Considering its age, it isn’t excessively oaked, and the Port Ellen character still shines through. If you’re going to track down a bottle of Port Ellen before they get really difficult to find, this one is worth serious consideration.
3rd Quarter 2005 Issue-Vol. 14#3)
<< Return to Complete Buyer's Guide List.
|
