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| Hello, that is certainly one of our (virtually) day by day tastings. Santé! |
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Could 28, 2021
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The vicarious Feis Ile periods
Immediately Port Ellen Maltings
Celebrating Islay and Feis Ile from Whisky Enjoyable Towers, with fastidiously chosen whiskies from most distilleries, whereas we’re all dreaming of 2022…
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I consider in the present day ought to have been the start of Feis Ile however because of a tiny bug (it is actually not a bug, S.) they needed to cancel the occasion, identical to final yr. So we can not go/fly/swim/row/sail to Islay this yr, however what we may do is to strive a couple of of their whiskies on their theoretical official days, what do you say? I am unsure we’ll discover the time to have a lot of them, typically most likely only one or three that we’ll choose fastidiously, however there, you get the thought. Or possibly we’ll push issues and have rather a lot on sure days? You are proper, as we’d do on location? We will see… Within the meantime, here is ‘our’ programme:
Friday Could 28 : Port Ellen Maltings
Saturday Could 29 : Lagavulin
Sunday Could 30 : Bruichladdich
Monday Could 31 : Caol Ila
Tuesday June 1 : Laphroaig
Wednesday June 2 : Bowmore
Thursday June 3 : Kilchoman
Friday June 4 : Bunnahabhain
Saturday June 5 : Ardbeg
Sunday June 6 : Jura
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And so, that is Port Ellen Maltings Day (is it?) however we cannot crunch any peated barley, we’ll be content material with only one new unbiased Port Ellen. Sadly, we cannot be allowed to marvel in flesh on the development works of the ‘new’ Port Ellen Distillery, however we will strive a 1983 which, as you understand, nonetheless is Port Ellen’s final classic whisky, till the brand new Distillery is three-years-old that’s. Oh and glad to think about Port Ellen Distillery after we have witnessed the rebirth of Brora simply this week. Wonderful folks, work, and most likely whisky.
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Port Ellen 36 yo 1983/2019 (53.5%, Hunter Laing, Eidolon, Launch 01, 638 bottles) 
This child was bottled in 2019 but it surely solely got here out round Christmas final yr. It’s, in line with the very partaking bottlers, ‘a whisky of distinction – each testomony to historic knowledge and a celebration of recent whisky experience’. We will not argue, solely keep in mind that identical to at Brora, the uncommon 1983s have been slightly superior, in my e-book, to earlier vintages equivalent to 1979, 80, 81 or 82. As if the Distilleries had been bidding farewell (you may make us all cry, S.). Color: deep gold. Nostril: it’s a slightly rounder Port Ellen, which can come both from older age, or from sherry wooden. Or from each. A sense of smoked almonds, previous riesling, smoked haddock, then cigars, walnuts, hardwood and teak oil. Cedarwood, humidor, rooster broth. Fairly excellent however you do really feel it is holding again a wee bit, maybe. With water: it is lifted to more energizing, extra natural flooring. Spearmint, a contact of basil, then mushrooms, moss… And recent walnuts. Mouth (neat): double-whammy, no water wanted this time. Somebody’s smoked chocolate and low, natural teas, oranges and lemons, clams and different seafood, and most of all, walnuts. Slightly caramel, the place does that come from? With water: earthy black tea and chestnut honey, plus liquorice and mint. It is also slowly turning into tarrier, which was to be anticipated. End: slightly lengthy and admittedly tarry now. One in all Port Ellen’s most important markers in my e-book. Goes on for a very long time on bitter soups, sorrel, spinach, watercress… And again to smoked espresso, chocolate and walnuts. It is come full circle. Very ashy and almondy aftertaste. Feedback: these Port Ellens are unbreakable, rotproof, and simply everlasting. What’s extra; nice steadiness peat/sherry on this one. Pleased Feis Ile!
SGP:466 – 93 factors. |
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Over to Angus in Edinburgh…
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Port Ellen 18 yo 1982/2001 (43%, Douglas McGibbon ‘Provenance’, sherry) 
A 1981/2000 model in the identical sequence I attempted lately was wonderful (WF90), let’s examine if this adjoining classic is a match. Color: amber. Nostril: a stunning nostril, all on tender medical embrocations, pure tar, fir wooden and pine resin. Eucalyptus oils, BBQ embers, peppered recreation meats and a really salty and exactly earthy old skool sherry. Many smaller notes of walnuts and balsamic beneath. I believe Port Ellen might be extraordinarily charming at these sort of decrease ABVs typically. Mouth: fantastic arrival, all on intensely concentrated tars, oily, barely grubby peat smoke, smoked black pepper, extra cured recreation meats, incense, TCP and iodine. Large for 43%! End: lengthy, leathery, black puffer smoke, smoked fish, dried seaweed and pickled walnuts. Feedback: simply completely marvellous steadiness between peat and sherry, each being slightly highly effective however completely entwined. I am keen on this humble wee Port Ellen. I believe the bottling energy was extraordinarily intelligent right here.
SGP: 566 – 91 factors.
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