Signatory Port Ellen 1978

Tasted in Whisky Magazine Issue 23 by Martine Nouet and Dave Broom.

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Tasting Notes

Martine Nouet Nose Delicately phenolic. Summer shower on a bonfire. Shellfish. Sea-lettuce. Cinnamon. Thyme. Hint of leather. Palate Sweet maltiness and butterscotch balanced by the sharpness of the spirit. Herring in oatmeal. Finish Dryness. Fizzy pepperiness. Comment More body and richness than the ’79. Still not a great warrior but a hearty fisherman.

Dave Broom Nose Quite austere, linseed oil, pepper, olive with phenolic notes of tar/creosote, sea shells, a light kippery note, pipe smoke. Palate Great savoury start. Bursts in the mouth. Still austere, the olive and tarry smoke is there but spice as well. Huge presence. Finish Long, powerful. Comment Classy. A top-notch Port Ellen which manages to be austere yet filled with texture and rich flavours.