Single sherry cask #4717. A 25 year old from the lost Islay distillery bottled Autumn 2008.

Port Ellen

Port Ellen Distillery was established by Alexander K. Mackay on the southern coast of the Isle of Islay at Port Ellen in 1825. Port Ellen was a malt whisky distillery but closed in 1983 and whilst the distillery buildings remain Port Ellen drum maltings occupy part of the site and participates in Feis Ile, the annual Islay Festival of Malt and Music. Most recent official bottling of Port Ellen single malt whisky was the Port Ellen 11thRelease. During the winter of 1823-24 James Fox tested his newly designed spirit safe at Port Ellen Distillery prior to its introduction in all Scottish licenced distilleries by 1825 in order to comply with enactment of the Excise Act of 1823. Thus Port Ellen Distillery was the first Scottish distillery to install a spirit safe and James Fox was paid £428 for his work. 

The nose opens with a clean maritime style plus spices and honey carrying a bandaged and medicinal quality. Initial saltiness on the palate runs to interestingly dry bonfire ashes. The finish is long reminiscent of "Arbroath Smokies" with soft chewed leather, tar and creosote lingering on.