Old Malt Cask - 1979 Port Ellen - zing zowie!

[kwellada]

Okay, so this is my first Port Ellen I've ever tried. My friend just picked up a bottle at the Binny's in Chicago (the big one that made us cry due to the sheer amount of choices available).

It's a Douglas Laing Old Malt Cask 1979 Port Ellen, 25 Years. 50% ABV.

Now I'm not a Jim Murray type of reviewer so I'll first provide my initial reaction


Okay, that was something. It reminds me a bit of a Cragganmore with Oomph. For an islay, it has little of the peat or smoke I'd associate with an islay. There is a floral aspect to it, but overall an amazingly balanced whisky. The finish is the same as how you felt after your first (good) kiss.

Easily one of the best whiskies I've ever tried. I'm extremely thankful that my friend is willing to share.

[TreacleSponge]

Aww, it's beautiful to see a person fall in love

Kwellada, I think Zing Zowie and Oomph are perfectly good whisky descriptors - great review

[Reggaeblues]

Yes, right uo there with my bassplayer's desciptor for the dram of SMWS 36YO Longmorn I gave him a couple of years back:

"F*** me, I gotta sit down!"

[kwellada]

I had another dram of the Port Ellen right before bed and I think my dreams were just a bit sweeter than usual.

[UUNetBill]

"Zing zowie"

"F*** me, I gotta sit down!"

I don't get much better than that. . .

[Lawrence]

Sounds like a cracker, thanks for letting us know.

Lawrence

[UUNetBill]

"Zing zowie"

"F*** me, I gotta sit down!"

I don't get much better than that. . .

I meant "It", not "I" - where's that damn edit button??

[kwellada]

To sum things up about this Port Ellen, the bottle's contents were drained within a week. Lots of glasses demanded drams by many people. A really fine, fine whisky.

[Klas]

Excellent review, Kwellada!

I too love the Port Ellen whiskies!
I am about to open a Port Ellen Old Malt Cask 25 year old as well. (1982, though) and I really look forward to it.

[borgom]

I haven't tried a PE yet. In oz a bottle will usually retail for about the same as three bottles of Lagavulin.
On that basis is it worth it?
Or am I better off sticking with three bottles of good Islay whisky?

[Ryguy]

I haven't tried a PE yet. In oz a bottle will usually retail for about the same as three bottles of Lagavulin.
On that basis is it worth it?
Or am I better off sticking with three bottles of good Islay whisky?

Well I absolutely love Port Ellen, but I'll try and be as neutral as possible here. If you get a chance to try one, at a bar, friends house or whatever, I would do that first. Because it can be fairly expensive for a bottle of PE these days, so it doesn't make sense to buy one, if you are not sure that you'll like it.

I is a very different Islay, and IMO, much different than the others. Some people love it (like Me) and others think that is is just ok, and prefer other Islays. I hope what little information I have given, helps you some in your decision.

[Charlie]

I have a bottle of the Old Malt Cask Port Ellen too, and agree it is stunning.

I've also got an OMC Glen Grant 18 yo, and that too is superb.

I must try some more of these bottlings in the future if the standard is as good as those two.