The 5th offical Port Ellen release from 2005 with 5,280 bottles issued as part of the annual Diageo special release series.

Nose: Elegant and almost creamy peat smoke with notes of creosote, crispy fish skin, coal soot, lime pickle, olive oil dressing, smoked leather, curry paste and onions caramelising, aromatic with hints of the coast and a trawler in the harbour.

Palate: Peat smoked apple cores, poached pears in salted stock syrup, sooty anise, anjelica, green herbs, creamy and almost soapy mouthfeel, smoked tofu with wasabi peas!

Finish: More sooty peat smoke but with a freshness and plenty of spice and fruit behind it along with notes of anjelica, apples,pears, aniseed, white pepper, lime, elderflower, wasabi, green herbs, lime marmalade and very, very long.

Simply a classic Islay malt with everything working in perfect harmony, elegant for its abv and much to enjoy beyond the peat element. This ticks all the boxes and just sad that one day soon there will be no more new releases from this iconic and long closed distillery.