Port Ellen 1982 - Malts of Scotland
It's not every day that you get the chance to taste a 1982' Port Ellen (with no further age statement). So we are all the more delighted to be able to taste such a special dram. The distillery has not produced whisky since 1983, and a reopening is planned for this year. Getting hold of bottlings - especially at reasonable prices - is almost impossible at the moment.
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Buy on AmazonTasting Notes
Nose
We are sitting in a small old wooden hut by the sea on an old leather sofa with a view of the Port Ellen distillery on the island of Islay in Scotland. In front of us is a buffet of dried dates wrapped in bacon, figs, sea asparagus and some good German wholemeal bread, which smells wonderful. It is accompanied by salted caramel and chocolate-coated coffee beans. A gentle sea breeze blows through the open window and light smoke from the campfire with paprika, stick bread and smoked bacon.
Palate
We reach for the bowl with a varied mix of red berries, which are fruity, sweet and quite creamy. A few berries taste a little strange. They are the redcurrants - they must have been lying in ashes from an old barbecue. A mill with white pepper and a salt mill are on the table, probably for the peppers on the skewers by the campfire. The mills certainly won't be for our mint and herb tea. Now we are served the smoked bacon - it goes surprisingly well with mint tea. It starts to rain outside.
Finish
The campfire extinguishes. Woody and ashy flavours linger for a long time, slightly musty from the rain and yet dusty and dry.
Thoughts
Marcel 91/100 - (World class)
This Port Ellen 1982 is an unforgettable dance between smoky power and deep, fruity notes – a true fireworks display for the senses that leaves you wanting more. If you don’t enjoy this, maybe you should give whisky another try. A genuine experience that shows just how much character a single dram can hold!
Sascha 95/100 - (World class)
The Port Ellen 1982 impresses with its balanced combination of intense cask strength and complex maturation, delivering a precisely structured aroma profile that blends smoky and fruity facets. Despite its power, it feels surprisingly harmonious and multi-layered, making it a benchmark for high-quality Islay whiskies.
Value for Money: 0/5 (No rating)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Port Ellen 1982 have no age statement, even though the year 1982 is mentioned?
The year 1982 indicates the distillation year, not the whisky’s age at bottling. Since there is no age statement on the label, the exact age was not officially declared. Such releases often come from different casks with slightly varying ages.
How does the high alcohol content of 58.1% affect the taste and drinking experience of this whisky?
At 58.1% ABV, this whisky is very powerful and intense. The high alcohol content amplifies aromas and flavor depth but can also come across as sharp. It’s recommended to add a few drops of water to better release the aromas and make the whisky more approachable.
What distinguishes the Port Ellen 1982 from Malts of Scotland compared to other Islay whiskies?
This Port Ellen comes from a distillery that has been closed since 1983, making it particularly rare. The Malts of Scotland bottling showcases a complex combination of maritime, smoky, and fruity notes with an unusual ashy and musty character in the finish, shaped by its age and maturation conditions.