Port Ellen – 2nd Release 24 Year Old 1978 (70cl, 59.4%)

This is the second Port Ellen Annual Release, a 24 year old single malt distilled in 1978 and bottled by the distillery in 2002. It was bottled at a cask strength of 59.35% in a 70cl bottle, with an outturn of 12,000 bottles. Many people regard it as one of the strongest official Port Ellen bottlings. The nose is austere, stony, flinty and grassy, with cold ashes. With water, tar, a little paraffin, butter and smoked tea come through. The palate has candied oranges, dried pears and sugared lemon juice, with farmy notes and an unusual touch of figs. The finish is long, rather sweet and peaty.