I can't stop thinking about this malt. Over a weekend where I tasted a treasure trove of excellent whiskies (while taking formal notes on none of them), this one seared itself into my brain.  I hesitate to tell you how great it is, since it's long gone and there hasn't even been one at auction for years… so the next time a bottle does show up for sale, and I try to get it, I'm gonna be outbid by somebody who read my own damn writeup and decided to pay a shitload to get their own bottle.

Yes, that's how my mind works -- or is it my ego? And my karma. Whatever, I digress…

Selected by and bottled for the PLOWED Society in 2004, this single cask was shared with The Whisky Shop, who handled the formalities/hassles. For those not familiar with PLOWED, I'll leave you to your own research, as their private and rather mysterious nature seems best fit to stay that way. Let's just say that they're in no small part responsible for the explosion of interest in single malts that's now common in every corner of the internet (this site included).

The main quality about this Port Ellen is that it's just very different from the distillery's typical profile, in a really distinct and peculiar way -- but a WOW way.  

The nose is so idiosyncratic that I think I could recognize it instantly. Sherried, yes it sure seems to be, but a very atypical type -- and the palate follows suit. The whole experience really has big aspects of a Planters Peanut Bar, or maybe a Payday -- very honeyed and peanutty-buttery-caramelly, nougatty.  But not as peanutty as you'd expect from that description, if that makes sense… just notably so. It's a fruited-nutty-caramel flavor, medium-sweet, with complexity that's not overwhelming, but a sort of "subtle complexity" that sneaks up every few sips. Like all of a sudden the finish strikes me with strong coffee, then soon it's not as distinct as I found it before.

Super-solid A, one of the most enjoyable whiskies I've ever tasted.

 

RETASTE: Again over a long weekend with some truly fantastic malts assembled, I kept finding myself going (sneaking?) back to this. There's some sulphur in here I didn't quite notice before, and the sherry aspects are slightly more traditional-tasting than I recalled. Yet it's still unusual enough, particularly when it comes to the sweeter flavors, that I still feel the same way. (Thanks Marty!)