Port Ellen 1978 37 Year Old 16th Release (2016)

5

I don’t get to Taste too many really old and “expensive” whiskies , so it is a rare privilege to be sampling this on Burns night, thanks to TWE and the good Dr. Dunn One of those noses that makes you want to sit down, and shut up. It immediately has everything I want in a whisky. An initial hit reminding me of Lagavulin 12, with putty like peat…and then I;m reminded of my beloved Talisker 30 with its delicate mix of fruit and brine. Then it gets sweeter and woodier all at once. like drinking hot chocolate in a room with a newly polished floor. And I;m sucking so hard through my nostrils because even the nose prickle is aromatic. I close my eyes and I;m breathing the sea air on Port Ellen lighthouse looking across The water at the old distillery… Just so grand, eloquent And elegant on the palate/ Sweet gentle and powerful Like lightly peated custard . Creamy, smoky and deep. And then…fruit! I return to the nose, and all the elements, have merged into one harmonious whole. My nose can;t suck hard enough. So delicious. So powerful. So delicate. My God why can;t i buy a bottle of this for 50 quid in Waitrose? Oh, and now through the smoke and sweet peat come all kinds of fruit. From oranges to tropical…lightly spiced smoked cherry jam! And just a touch of earthiness running through the whole experience , and a final hint of coffee, which I always love on a good Caol Ila… This is one off those whiskies that has everything…