I think overall, this is my favorite expression of them all and with no further ado, the tasting notes:
Photo Credit: thewhiskyexchange.com
Port Ellen 6th Annual Release (2006), Vintage 1978, 27 Year old (54.2% ABV, NCF, NC)
Appearance: Gold, very thin and slow legs coming off a long lasting ring.
Nose: The peat is, by far, the most pronounced in the five expressions. This peat has quite the BBQ aroma with fresh green leaves, salt and malt. Water brings out a lot of honey and mellows the smoky peat.
Palate: Honey and peat with pomelo (citrus grandis). Water brings out more spice and some fizz with more grapefruit like bitterness.
Linger: Sweet averall with a bitter smoke tang. Some dryness and a lingering spiciness. The finish is the best of the five drams.
Conclusion
This is the most refined of the five expressions tasted in this flight. To me, this is the quintessential bourbon cask matured Port Ellen. The next post in the series, number eight, will venture into sherry territory….
So absolutely green about this series! I’ve only gotten to taste one or two of these annual releases. Will there be another of these vertical tastings? How do I get invited?? Thanks for the great notes.
Steven,
This tasting actually took place in Helsinki, and I wasn’t physically there 🙂
I love your blog too, BTW 🙂