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Read stories about Port Ellen of A Wardrobe of Whisky blog.

You can read here older articles posted in A Wardrobe of Whisky since 2009.
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Diageo to release NAS Port Ellen whisky

By Miguel in Port Ellen

Today Diageo has unveiled their plans to satisfy the hordes of deep pocket whisky investors connoisseurs with the release of a non age statement bottle of Port Ellen: an Espens Iveone

Port_Ellen_NAS

This new addition to the range of Diageo’s whiskies will be bottled at 53.9% ABV and they have promised that only the best of the best of Port Ellen whisky is inside this bottle. In fact they have reopened the distillery to add a dash of young whisky to invigorate this ancient single malt. With a retail price of barely £59999.99 it will surely make the delight of whisky aficionados all around the world.

As Mr. Hallmark said “We saw everyone was releasing NAS whiskies like mad so I proposed why not making a NAS bottle of that pesky Port Ellen to see if we can finally get rid of all that woody stock and well here is the bottle: Port Ellen An Espens Iveone that translates into the bottom of the glen full of gold”.

You can go now and reserve yours on online retailers before it is too late.

[ Happy April Fools’ Day ]


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The Peat Paradise: Islay from Bunnahabhain to Port Ellen

By Miguel in Tasting , Recommended , Featured , Laphroaig , Caol Ila , Lagavulin , Port Ellen , Ardbeg , Bunnahabhain , Kilchoman , Bowmore , Bruichladdich

Islay is an island in the west of Scotland that produce a style of single malts that you either love or hate: peated whiskies.

Gregor Haslinger Islay photo
(Photo on top of one of the Jura Pups looking south overseeing the Isle of Islay by Gregor Haslinger)

You may wonder why such an small island have so many distilleries and I hope this article enlighten you and share with us the passion for peated whiskies.
I have tasted already many of the whiskies created at Islay but I really wanted to taste them all in a row so I can compare them side by side. I hate when I taste blindly a whisky and I can’t decide if it is a Caol Ila ( most are ) or an Ardbeg.

So come with me in this trip around Islay in nine drams. Oh man! I am sure you can smell the smoke from there.

Read the full story »


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Review of Port Ellen 27 years old 1982 Mission by Murray McDavid

By Miguel in Tasting , Port Ellen

“Taken by surprise as the nose of this Port Ellen isn't particularly promising but as soon as you sip it you are assaulted by this great whisky”

91
Port Ellen 27 year 1982 Mission Murray McDavid
A 27 year old Port Ellen single malt whisky distilled in 1982, just a few months before the distillery was closed forever.

This is a rare whisky, aged in Bourbon casks and finished in Chateau D'Yquem sauternes barrels.

This was bottled at the Bruichladdich distillery in 2009, and is part of a release of 1,175 bottles.

This dram has a gold-like color.

Nose (89): average. peat, floral, fruits, salt. Very restrained nose for a Port Ellen whisky.

Palate (92): smooth, powerful. peat, honey, citrus, floral, earth, coffee, spices.

Finish (91): long. peat, floral, sweet.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Port Ellen 27 year 1982 Mission Murray McDavid with 91 points over 100.

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Port Ellen 26 years old 1983 Old Malt Cask Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Port Ellen

“Lovely peat, like sweet marine dark espresso coffee. Must have!”

93
Port Ellen 26 year 1983 Old Malt Cask
This was distilled not long before the Port Ellen distillery closed for good. Bottled in August 2009 by Douglas Laing, there are 610 bottles of this, from refill butt number 5441.

This dram has a gold-like color.

Nose (91): more than average. peat, iodine, honey, citrus, pepper, toffee.

Palate (94): smooth, powerful, oily. peat, floral, apples, pears, spices, wood, toffee, salt, coffee.

Finish (93): long. peat, spices, sweet, wood, roasted coffee.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Port Ellen 26 year 1983 Old Malt Cask with 93 points over 100.

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Port Ellen 6th Release 27 years old Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Port Ellen

“Even after eight great whiskies this Port Ellen stands over them. Peat-astic!”

92
Port Ellen 6th release 27 year
The six release of this awesome Islay single malt whisky, Port Ellen.

Bottled as a 27 year old and at cask strength, this Port Ellen is one of the last whiskies form this rare and defunct Islay distillery. Aged in American Oak and European Oak refill casks filled in 1978. Limited to 4560 bottles.

If you like peated whiskies this is something you must try, despite its price.

This dram has a amber-like color.

Nose (90): more than average. peat, honey, spices, varnish, citrus, vanilla.

Palate (94): powerful, oily. peat, honey, spices, vanilla, wood, citrus, espresso. Fucking awesome even after eight great whiskies.

Finish (92): longer than average. peat, citrus, honey, espresso.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Port Ellen 6th release 27 year with 92 points over 100.

Buy this bottle at

Save money when you buy Single Malt Whisky online. Check for the best prices from best online shops below:



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Port Ellen 6th Release of Islay Collection Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Port Ellen
95
Port Ellen 6th release 27 year
The six release of this awesome Islay single malt whisky, Port Ellen.

Bottled as a 27 year old and at cask strength, this Port Ellen is one of the last whiskies form this rare and defunct Islay distillery. Aged in American Oak and European Oak refill casks filled in 1978. Limited to 4560 bottles.

If you like peated whiskies this is something you must try, despite its price.

This dram has a white-like color.

Nose (92): inexistent. sweet, fruits, peat. really hot. First nosing data is innacurate as the previous tasting sheet lacked of this field.

Palate (96): . hot, salt, peat, wood, sweet malt, cake and berries. Bouquet data is innacurate as the previous tasting sheet lacked of this field.

Finish (96): no finish. long, peat and cake, sweetness. Finish length is innacurate as the previous tasting sheet lacked of this field.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Port Ellen 6th release 27 year with 95 points over 100.

Buy this bottle at

Save money when you buy Single Malt Whisky online. Check for the best prices from best online shops below:



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Islay Collection

By Miguel in News , Caol Ila , Lagavulin , Port Ellen

Islay Collection 2006

Islay Collection is a pack of some Diageo’s Islay whiskies like: Caol Ila, Lagavulin and Port Ellen. It is a pack for peat lovers. So stay away if you don’t like peat whiskies.

It is a cheap way of tasting some great malts like Port Ellen and Lagavulin.
The pack features a 20cl size bottle of:

  • Caol Ila 12 years old
  • Caol Ila 18 years old
  • Lagavulin 12 years old Special Release Cask Strength
  • Lagavulin 16 years old
  • Port Ellen 6th Release Cask Strength

I got my pack for £70 but it is usually around £100. Anyway given that Port Ellen full bottle is so expensive the pack itself is cost less than the 20cl bottle of PE.

I will post the tasting of the whiskies on the next days.


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