Port Ellen 1980 GM Rare Old

A Port Ellen bottled for the Gordon & MacPhail Rare Old range. Every time we see one of these we wonder how many casks G&M have left, but they still seem to have enough stock to turn out these excellent drams from time to time. Distilled in 1980 and bottled in 2016, it's a straight down the line Port Ellen, balancing the smoke, fruit and maritime character that this long-lost distillery is famous for.

Port Ellen 1980 GM Rare Old Tasting Notes

Nose: Spicy barnyard, old hay and melon notes. Freshly cut grass with decayed grass compost mix. Slightly kippery with a hint of bitter old wood note. Ripen tangerines and lime zest.

Palate: Very oily and dense. Thick mouthfeel. Slight hint of smoke and burnt charcoal. Ending to a damp wood block. Old spices, cod liver oil, scented candles, dried pork meat squares. Seaweed, soot, pepper and wet fur.

Finish: White pepper, apricots and a tiny bit of peach with bitter skin. Then woody bitterness takes over, which later turns into roasted coffee beans.

Distillery Information

The Port Ellen distillery was founded in 1825 by Alexander Ker Mackay. The distillery lies not far from the centre of its namesake town, Islay’s main port, and draws its waters from the Leorin Lochs. John Ramsay, a local Member of Parliament, acquired the distillery after Mackay went into bankruptcy. Ramsay was a leader in his field and recognised the opportunities that exportation to America could offer.

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