Port Ellen 26 Year Old 1983 Milano Festival 2009

How many whisky festivals have ever bottled a Port Ellen, I wonder. Not many, I presume. But in 2009 the visitors of the Milano Whisky Festival were able to purchase this 26 years old Port Ellen at cask strength. Something like this would be impossible today, for the simple fact that it would be prohibitively expensive.

Sturdy nose on white fruit and lime, oyster sap and menthol. However, it has a surprisingly green undertone. It even reminds me a bit of stagnant water or cooked vegetables. Somewhat umami on raw meat. Ferns, grasses after a rain shower. Somewhat odd, but not unpleasant. I would not have guessed this was Port Ellen if tried blind (but that probably says more about me than about the whisky).

Oh, yeah! On the palate, this is a bomb and very recognizable Port Ellen. Ha, the nose tricked me. Pebbles, white fruit, citrus (mostly lime) and brackish water. Bitter herbs, more citrus and some white pepper, before the salt kicks in and overcomes everything.

Medium long, salty finish with a lovely trace of wood around some sweet and sour apples.

This might not be the most complex (and the nose what a bit odd), nevertheless this is a feast for the taste buds.

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