Port Ellen 1978 / 22 Year Old / Rare Malts

Let’s finish this line-up of Port Ellen samples with this official bottling from the famous Rare Malts Selection (the predecessor of the Diageo Special Releases). It has spent almost as much time in the bottle as it did in the cask. I sometimes see this bottle at auctions, but it will then set you back between 950 and 1500 EUR. Take your time for this one.

Very complex nose on vanilla and almonds, joined by grapefruit, graphite, diesel oil, walnuts and the skin of Pink Lady apples. Then more citrus, candle wax, wet rocks, caramel and white fruit. Unexpected hint of mokatine and cold coffee. Because quite salty after a few minutes. Salted caramel, nougat, liquorice. Delicious.

OMG! O-M-F-G! What a powerhouse. Sweet versus salt, but the salt is clearly stronger. Almost brackish, sturdy and feisty on tar and diesel, lemon and oyster sap, kippers and all of this is a straight jacket of smoke. Man, this makes me very, very happy.

The finish is a grand continuation of the palate, lasts forever and fills me with a satisfaction beyond words.

There is a god and it has been captured in this bottle!

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