The Port Ellen 17th Release 37-Year-Old is another exceptional bottling from the now-closed Islay distillery. This release, part of the annual Port Ellen Special Release series by Diageo, has garnered significant attention for its age, complexity, and refinement. With only a few casks available for bottling, this whisky represents the legacy of a distillery that closed in 1983 but continues to influence the whisky world through these rare and coveted expressions.
NOSE: The nose is a complex and layered experience, with the classic Port Ellen peat smoke at the forefront, but it's remarkably gentle and refined due to the long aging process. The smoky profile is more subtle compared to younger expressions but still unmistakably Islay, with an underlying sea breeze and hints of seaweed and brine. As the whisky opens up, you get notes of toasted oak, vanilla pod, and honeycomb, along with nuances of lemon zest, dried herbs, and a faint touch of dark chocolate. There’s also an intriguing element of dried fruit, with dried apricots and a hint of fig.
TASTE: On the palate, the whisky is luxurious and full-bodied with a beautiful balance of peat smoke and oak-derived sweetness. The initial taste is deep and earthy with smoked barley, tobacco, and a slight charred wood note, which gives way to a creamy, rich sweetness reminiscent of baked apple, butterscotch, and brown sugar. There’s a touch of spiced citrus, perhaps orange peel or candied lemon, mingling with darker notes of dried fruits like figs and raisins. The texture is smooth, almost oily, with an incredible depth that speaks to the long maturation.
FINISH: The finish is long, warm, and incredibly satisfying. It begins with a lingering peat smoke, complemented by a subtle saltiness that recalls the distillery’s coastal origins. There's a gentle sweetness from the oak, with flavors of honey, vanilla, and a touch of toffee. As the finish fades, there’s a slight mentholated freshness that cleanses the palate, leaving behind a lingering, satisfying combination of smoke, dried fruit, and a touch of peppery spice.
Apple
Barley
Brine
Brown Sugar
Butterscotch
Dark Chocolate
Dried
Honey
Lemon
Oak
Orange
Peat
Pepper
Salt
Seaweed
Smoke
Toast
Tobacco
Toffee
Vanilla
Zest