Port Ellen 35 Year Old 1978 - 14th Release (2014 Special Release)

Part of the 2014 Diageo Special Releases, this 35 year old Port Ellen single malt Scotch whisky was matured in a combination of refill American oak and European oak casks. A regular of the Special Releases, the whisky from the closed Port Ellen distillery on Islay is highly sought after and very rare indeed. 2,964 bottles were produced 

Nose: There's still a 'green' edge, like last year, with mossy peat alongside cream, but there's plenty different to enjoy here, especially a rich nuttiness and even a touch of jam. Time and/or water brought forth that familiar chamois leather and some coastal salinity.

Palate: Nutty and full with rich peat and wood smoke. More of that chamois but it's always in support here, never the main event. Complex with some great European oak influence manifesting as dark jam and cocoa.

Finish: Dry, smoky, some allspice and cocoa. Magnificent.

Overall: It's good. It's goood. Great balance, with both more Sherry influence and coastal virility than recent releases.