Elements of Islay

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Elements of Islay Pe5 Cask Strength Single Malt. Islay, Scotland. ABV: 57.90%. Tasted at Bad Apples, $47.

Colour: Nright gold.

Nose: Served in a miniature Glencairn glass, which is the first one I’ve drank out of so far.  The smaller size allows you to really get your nose in close to the whisky. A complex nose on this one, hard to dissect. And frankly, with such a rare whisky I’m not so sure I want to pull it to pieces, I just want to enjoy it.

Palate: Smooth entry, quickly warms & fills the mouth. Quite creamy. Much more subtle than other Islays I’ve tried.

Finish: I didn’t want it to finish!

Comments:  To be honest, I didn’t focus on making too many notes with this tasting – I just wanted to enjoy it. Port Ellen is a defunct distillery, so the rarity of the whisky is the reason for the high price.  I’m not sure it’s worth $47 a nip based on flavour alone. The Pe5 is the fifth “Elements of Islay” release of Port Ellen whisky, this one is from a single sherry cask.  I’d like to try it again though but next time without putting pressure on myself to try and analyse it and do it justice – I’d just want to relax a little more and really enjoy it.