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Brands and Distilleries : Port Ellen

Issue 103 Out Now

Whisky Magazine Issue 103

World Whiskies Awards edition 2012

 

Port Ellen

Whisky Magazine - Recommended - Winner

Port Ellen
Single Malt - Scotland - 53.80%
8 A classic Port Ellen. A must-buy for peat heads.

Port Ellen 1978 31 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 54.60%
7 Another evolution in the Port Ellen saga. Less austere but also less overtly smoky. Fascinating.

Port Ellen 1979, 22 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 56.20%
8 From a sadly silent still: a great malt that is too good to chill, but wonderful with smoked salmon or scallops. Or, deservedly, caviar. You serve vodka? Shame on you!

Port Ellen 1979, 25 Years Old, 5th Release
Single Malt - Scotland - 57.40%
8 A very good balance between nose and palate. An island character with a pleasant earthy background.

Whisky Magazine - Recommended - Winner

Port Ellen 24 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 57.30%
8 Very well balanced, this expression has enjoyed a great relationship with its cask.

Whisky Magazine - Recommended - Winner

Port Ellen 25 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 60.40%
8 A superb Port Ellen,more sophisticated than the Diageo one. Two styles. This one is more an indoor dram. Toeach his own.

Whisky Magazine - Editors Choice - Winner

Port Ellen 25 Years Old, Special Release 2005
Single Malt - Scotland - 57.40%
8 Old, intense and busting for an olifactory fight. Complex and grizzly, like Clint Eastwood in The Unforgiven.

Whisky Magazine - Recommended - Winner

Port Ellen 29 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 55.30%
8 That dram gives you a briny hug. It warms you without burning. A zesty queen of the Hebrides.

Port Ellen 30 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 57.70%
8 A wonderful freshener on a warm summer day, citrussy and smokier than phenolic.

Whisky Magazine - Recommended - Winner

Port Ellen 32 Years Old
Single Grain - Scotland - 53.90%
8 Another shining example of shrewd cask selection.

Whisky Magazine - Recommended - Winner

Port Ellen 6th Release
Single Malt - Scotland - 54.20%
8 Takes no prisoners.

Adelphi Port Ellen 1975, 24 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 59.00%
8 Seems to have faded slightly with age.

Whisky Magazine - Recommended - Winner

Berry's Own Selection Port Ellen
- Scotland - 46.00%
8 This is top notch stuff. One of the best Port Ellen's for some while. Snap it up.

Whisky Magazine - Editors Choice - Winner

Chieftain's Choice Port Ellen 24 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 59.40%
8 Complex stuff going on here. A really rewarding Port Ellen.

Whisky Magazine - Recommended - Winner

Douglas Laing Port Ellen 25 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 50.00%
8 Forget your herbal tea. Go for this fantastic Islay potion!

Gordon & MacPhail Port Ellen 1982
Single Malt - Scotland - 40.00%
8 A restrained example of this fine malt, but the silent still is almost out of stock. There will be few further opportunities to buy.

McGibbon's Port Ellen 23 Years Old, Provenance
Single Malt - Scotland - 46.00%
7 Reminded me of old Calvados. Oak tends to overwhelm fruit but a wee dash of water tones it down. Very unpeated for a Port Ellen!

Old Malt Cask Port Ellen 1978 24 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 50.00%
8 This one blew up a storm for me.

Old Malt Cask Port Ellen 1979 Sherry Cask 21 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 50.00%
8 Port Ellen had such a distinctive character. This seems to be one of the less robust bottlings, yet has some character.

Old Malt Cask Port Ellen 1982 21 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 50.00%
8 A big beast of a Port Ellen, nicely caught before the sherry-wood tipped it over the edge.

Old Malt Cask Port Ellen Sherry 1982 25 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 50.00%
7 A phenolic fellow. Tough on the nose, sweet on the palate. But the aromatic profile is not exciting.

Whisky Magazine - Recommended - Winner

Rare Malts Port Ellen 1978 20 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 60.90%
8 An expressive, arousing, version of this fine malt.

Rare Malts Port Ellen 1978 22 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 60.50%
9 Pungent, powerful and appetising. A dram for the Islay-lover and connoisseur. This distillery should be revived.

Whisky Magazine - Editors Choice - Winner

Rare Malts Port Ellen 20 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 60.90%
9 Bring on the caeser salad.

Whisky Magazine - Recommended - Winner

Signatory Port Ellen 1978
Single Malt - Scotland - 59.00%
8 More body and richness than the '79. Still not a great warrior but a hearty fisherman.

Whisky Magazine - Editors Choice - Winner

Signatory Port Ellen 1978 Port Wood
Single Malt - Scotland - 58.00%
8 Typical fragrant, alert Port Ellen, but the port finish lends more fruit and an amazing orangey-pinkish colour.

Signatory Port Ellen 1979
Single Malt - Scotland - 43.00%
7 A rather pleasant dram but a paler version of Port Ellen.

Whisky Magazine - Recommended - Winner

Signatory Straight from the Cask Port Ellen 24 Years Old, Burgundy finish
Single Malt - Scotland - 58.80%
8 Lots happening here. A complex and highly unusual expression of Port Ellen.

The Whisky Fair Port Ellen Sherry 1982 25 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 59.60%
7 Anenticing nose,a gentle feel but the alcohol spoils the pleasure. It needs a good dash of water to be drinkable but then loses some aromatic impact.

The Whisky Shop Port Ellen 1978 24 Years Old, Sherry Butt
Single Malt - Scotland - 46.00%
8 Bring on the pizza Napoletana (or if you are in Naples, the Romana).

Gone but not forgotten (Port Ellen)
In the latest of our new series,Gavin D Smith delves in to Port Ellen's past

April 2007, Issue 63, page 50

Island odyssey
Jonny McCormickreports on Isly's growing dominance

April 2011, Issue 95, page 96

Ask the expert
John Rose fields more of your questions

September 2007, Issue 66, page 31

Ask the expert
Now you can find both of John Rose's superb articles about collecting whisky in one place. In collections,John looks at books for collectors and the whisky enthusiast. In questions,he fields your enqu...

January 2008, Issue 69, page 34

The whisky island
Gavin D. Smith charts the distilleries of Islay.

February 2010, Issue 86, page 34

Under the hammer
In this 100th Edition of the Whisky Magazine which was first printed on the 20th November 1998, John Rose has selected six bottles at the price collectors could have bought them at auction in that yea...

December 2011, Issue 100, page 96

It's all a matter of angles
Dave ‘The Brush' Broom on potting, pirates and promotions

July 2004, Issue 41, page 12

Class acts
The Masterclasses gave visitors the chance to explore the world of whisky more fully. Brigid James picks some highlights

June 2003, Issue 31, page 22

Is it a bear or a bull?
John Rose with another selection of outstanding collectible bottles

July 2006, Issue 57, page 62

A week in paradise
The Islay Festival is the highlight of the Scotch whisky year. Martine Nouet looks ahead to this year's activities

May 2004, Issue 39, page 36

All at sea (Lagavulin)
The Mystery Visitor travels to Islay and puts Lagavulin under the spotlight

July 2005, Issue 49, page 42

The 21st Century's 100 Greatest Bottles
Jonny McCormick looks at the top 100 single malt whisky bottles auctioned this century

December 2011, Issue 100, page 24

Looking back
Jonny McCormick sums up an excellent year

March 2012, Issue 102, page 72

New Classics
The autumn is always an exciting time for whisky collectors and connoisseurs. There are generally a number of exciting limited edition releases,targeted at the gift market,and this year is no exceptio...

November 2006, Issue 60, page 18

spy
Fit for heroes Former Secretary General of NATO, Lord Robertson, returned recently to his home island of Islay and the Ardbeg Distillery to receive a special bottling of Ardbeg on behalf of the ex-Se...

July 2010, Issue 89, page 6

Liquid mystery (Lagavulin)
What makes Lagavulin great? Dave Broom goes in search of answers at the home of one the world's most elusive malts.

September 2000, Issue 11, page 28

Marriages made in Hebrides
It's easy to spice up your food offering with whisky. Here Martine Nouet uses Islay and Jura to pep up her menu

June 2004, Issue 40, page 58

Nessie's local
Jonny McCormick explores a monster of a Highland bar on the shores of Loch Ness.

April 2010, Issue 87, page 24

Let's take a walk on the fragrant side
The smells of Islay reflect on some of its wonderful whiskies. Martine Nouet takes you on a sensory journey across the island and introduces its flora and fauna

July 2004, Issue 41, page 36

Distiller of the year: Diageo
There were many entrants for this category, some obvious, some not so. The award is meant to be for an individual, but a clear trend started to emerge – there was a regular stream of votes for Diage...

April 2003, Issue 30, page 19

Working on the malt line
What are the advantages of commercial maltsters, and why do some distilleries still have their own floor maltings? Ian Wisniewski reports

May 2004, Issue 39, page 57

The Eighth Wonder
John Haydock reflects on his many past and present glories

January 2003, Issue 28, page 82

A sense of Islay
Martine Nouet takes a scent and taste tour of whisky's most famous island as a preview for the forthcoming Islay Whisky Festival 2002

May 2002, Issue 22, page 30

It's Islay Time
Jonny McCormick examines how a clutch of Feis Ilé bottlings fared at auction.

June 2010, Issue 88, page 74

Islay Whisky Festival, the must for May
Martine Nouet describes the highlights visitors can anticipate at this May's Islay Whisky Festival

June 2003, Issue 31, page 28

The world at our feet
Modern whisky cocktails are impacting across the world. Australian drinks writer Naren Young takes a global view

July 2005, Issue 49, page 54

Join the debate
email the team editorial@whiskymag.com

January 2011, Issue 93, page 70

Star performers
Tom Bruce-Gardyne talks to Fred and Stewart Laing, the independent bottlers who are not only brothers and business partners but a potentially successful cabaret duo as well

November 2001, Issue 19, page 38

Maltsters Inc.
Ian Wisniewski reveals the secrets behind this rather complex stage of whisky-making: malting

January 2003, Issue 28, page 48

Up and up
Jonny McCormick on a record breaking month

January 2011, Issue 93, page 74

Germany hot over whisky
Thousands turned out for Germany's Limburg Whisky Fair. Brian Townsend was amongst them

September 2003, Issue 33, page 17

Whisky paradise
In the latest in our series on visiting distilleries Caroline Dewar looks at Islay and Jura

March 2006, Issue 54, page 38

For your pleasure
Jonny McCormick encourages you to delve into your private collection.

September 2010, Issue 90, page 74

The deferred consumer
Ulf Buxrud had dedicated a large portion of his life to his passion for malt whisky, enabling him to addemble one of the most inpressive collections of its kind. We caught up with him to find out more...

February 2002, Issue 21, page 56

A dram online
Bruichladdich's Jim McEwan is set to bring his whisky tasting sessions into your home. Mike Gerrard reports

September 2003, Issue 33, page 23

Consultancy or scam?
Jim Murray, spurred by a reader's letter, considers alleged conflicts of interest

June 1999, Issue 4, page 9

Comfort and joy
Whisky pilgrims , tourists, locals- this summer's Islay Festival attracted fans from around the globe. Michael Jackson reports on a time to remember, while Marcin Miller travels east to catch up on t...

September 2000, Issue 11, page 34

Miles of Isles
What better way to visit the distilleries on Islay and Jura than on foot? Dominic Roskrow and a Whisky Magazine team have done just that

April 2006, Issue 55, page 18

Healthy Hart
Tom Bruce-Gardyne reports on a firm which has flourished bottling fine single malts

January 2003, Issue 28, page 34

Going native on Deer Island
John Lamond visits one of the most charming and laid-back of the Scottish islands, Jura-home to one of the country's most remote distilleries.

December 2000, Issue 13, page 28

In the summertime
Jonny McCormick toasts Centenary bottlings and welcomes a new entry.

September 2011, Issue 98, page 74

Smoking out the spirit of Islay
Andrew Jefford's Peat Smoke and Spirit is the best whisky book published this year. In this extract, he writes about trhe constitution of peat itself

November 2004, Issue 44, page 36

Nothing like a spot of pillaging
As crazy ideas go, pillaging malts on Islay for charity is pretty crazy. Dave Broom tracked down some of the guilty parties and asked them exactly what they thought they were doing

November 2003, Issue 35, page 36

Then along came the fire department
Michael Jackson reports on a hot night in Bowmore

September 2000, Issue 11, page 7

Whisky... it's not just for breakfast
In the matter of marketing, Michael Jackson proposes that Scotland take a lesson from Florida

June 1999, Issue 4, page 7

Under the hammer
Now you can find both of John Rose's superb articles about collecting whisky in one place. In collections he looks at some price guides for bottles at auction. In questions he fields your enquiries ab...

February 2012, Issue 101, page 72

French flair
Joe Bate shops across the Channel to check out the latest shopping opportunities

November 2007, Issue 67, page 53

Island hopping
Scotland's islands are only loosely connected and include vastly differing geographies, histories and whisky styles.

October 2009, Issue 83, page 36

Just a normal day on Islay
Yellow submarines, talking horses – par for the course really

July 2005, Issue 49, page 12

Being one of the best
David Stirk, one of Whisky Magazine's tasting panel representatives in Edinburgh, explains what it was like to be part of this definitive tasting and how he and his fellow panelists managed to suriviv...

June 2001, Issue 16, page 50

Old Malt Cask Port Ellen 1983 27 Years Old
The Whisky Shop Dufftown
£194.95
Old Malt Cask Port Ellen 1983 28 Years Old
The Whisky Shop Dufftown
£210.95
Port Ellen 12 Year Old Queen's Visit To Distillery In 1980
The Whisky Exchange
£7,500.00
Port Ellen 1971 Connoisseurs Choice Miniature
Whisky-Online.com
£65.00
Port Ellen 1974 14 Year Old Intertrade
The Whisky Exchange
£650.00
Port Ellen 1974 30 Year Old
The Whisky Exchange
£299.00
Port Ellen 1974 Connoisseurs Choice
Whisky-Online.com
£395.00
Port Ellen 1974 Connoisseurs Choice Miniature
Whisky-Online.com
£59.99
Port Ellen 1978 20 Year Old
The Whisky Exchange
£550.00
Port Ellen 1978 22 Year Old Rare Malts
Whisky-Online.com
£550.00
Port Ellen 1978 23 Year Old Refill Sherry Cask #5268
The Whisky Exchange
£299.00
Port Ellen 1978 23 Year Old Sherry Finish Old Malt Cask
The Whisky Exchange
£299.00
Port Ellen 1978 29 Year Old 8th Release
The Whisky Exchange
£399.00
Port Ellen 1978 30 Year Old Old & Rare
Whisky-Online.com
£239.99
Port Ellen 1979 29 Year Old Cask#7089
The Whisky Exchange
£199.00
Port Ellen 1979 30 Year Old Old & Rare
Whisky-Online.com
£295.00
Port Ellen 1979 30 Year Old Old & Rare
Whisky-Online.com
£299.00
Port Ellen 1979 32 Year Old Old & Rare
The Whisky Exchange
£365.00
Port Ellen 1979 Connoisseurs Choice
Whisky-Online.com
£395.00
Port Ellen 1980 Islay Dream Bot.1997 Velier
The Whisky Exchange
£299.00
Port Ellen 1981 27 Year Old Festival Bottleing 2008
Whisky-Online.com
£1,800.00
Port Ellen 1981 Islay Festival 2008
The Whisky Exchange
£1,800.00
Port Ellen 1982 18 Year Old Jewels Of Scotland
The Whisky Exchange
£299.00
Port Ellen 1982 19 Year Old Sherry Cask Old Malt Cask
The Whisky Exchange
£275.00
Port Ellen 1982 19 Year Old Sherry Cask Old Malt Cask
The Whisky Exchange
£275.00
Port Ellen 1982 21 Year Old Sherry
The Whisky Exchange
£225.00
Port Ellen 1982 23 Year Old Sherry Cask John Milroy
The Whisky Exchange
£275.00
Port Ellen 1982 24 Year Old
The Whisky Exchange
£225.00
Port Ellen 1982 25 Year Old Cask 3400
Whisky-Online.com
£199.00
Port Ellen 1982 26 Year Old Cask #2729
The Whisky Exchange
£199.00
Port Ellen 1982 28 Year Old Cask #2860 Old Bothwell
The Whisky Exchange
£165.00
Port Ellen 1982 28 Year Old Cask#2044 Old Bothwell
The Whisky Exchange
£165.00
Port Ellen 1982 29 Year Old Cask #2041 Old Bothwell
The Whisky Exchange
£165.00
Port Ellen 1982 Connoisseurs Choice
The Whisky Exchange
£199.00
Port Ellen 1983 22 Year Old Cask 2115
Whisky-Online.com
£175.00
Port Ellen 1983 23 Year Old
The Whisky Exchange
£225.00
Port Ellen 1983 25 Year Old Bot. Autumn 2008 Sherry
The Whisky Exchange
£225.00
Port Ellen 1983 27 Year Old Cask #20 Old Bothwell
The Whisky Exchange
£165.00
Port Ellen 1983 27 Year Old S Of Scotland
The Whisky Exchange
£155.00
Port Ellen 1983 28 Year Old Old Malt Cask #7244
The Whisky Exchange
£205.00
Port Ellen 20 Year Old Connoisseurs Choice
The Whisky Barrel
£349.99
Port Ellen 21 Year Old 25th Anniversary Maltings
The Whisky Exchange
£2,500.00
Port Ellen 22 Year Old Noord Whisky Festival 2006
The Whisky Barrel
£305.99
Port Ellen 27 Year Old 1983 Old Malt Cask #6702
The Whisky Barrel
£183.79
Port Ellen 30 Year Old 9th Release 3cl Sample
Master of Malt
£27.95
Port Ellen 30 Year Old Douglas Laing 60th Anniversary
The Whisky Barrel
£499.99
Port Ellen 30 Year Old Platinum Selection
The Whisky Barrel
£298.99
Port Ellen 32 Year Old 1979 2011 Release 3cl Sample
Master of Malt
£52.85
Port Ellen 32 Year Old Platinum Selection
The Whisky Barrel
£379.99
Port Ellen 3rd Annual Release 1979 24 Year Old No Box
Whisky-Online.com
£350.00
Port Ellen 8th Annual Release 29 Year Old
The Whisky Barrel
£499.99
Port Ellen 9th Annual Release 1979 30 Year Old
Whisky-Online.com
£495.00
Port Ellen Feis Ile 2008 Single Cask
The Whisky Barrel
£3,114.99
Port Ellen Royal Wedding 2011
The Whisky Barrel
£899.99
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