Port Ellen 1981 / 18 Year Old / Sherry Cask / Old Malt Cask Islay Whisky
- Distillery
- Port Ellen
- Region
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Type
- ABV
- 40%
- Price
- £1500
- Tasting notes
- Smokey, Kippery, Sherried, Leathery, Old Wood
- Description
- Port Ellen's 1983 closure transformed its whisky into liquid history; this 1981 vintage, matured 18 years in sherry cask and bottled by Douglas Laing, carries the weight of a lost distillery. Expect rich, honeyed warmth with layers of dried fruit, leather, and a subtle Islay salinity that refuses to fade. The high 50% ABV delivers a full-bodied texture with complex spice and oak integration. Essential drinking for collectors and those seeking a tangible connection to Islay's industrial past.
Similar bottles to Port Ellen 1981 / 18 Year Old / Sherry Cask / Old Malt Cask Islay Whisky
Same price range with overlapping tasting notes:
- Port Ellen 1981 / 18 Year Old / Sherry Cask / Old Malt Cask Islay Whisky vs Strathisla 40 Year Old (Gordon & MacPhail) — Strathisla, £1299, 5.0★ · Old Wood, Sherried, Honey, Dried Fruit
- Port Ellen 1981 / 18 Year Old / Sherry Cask / Old Malt Cask Islay Whisky vs Highland Park 30 Year Old - Pre 2013 — Highland Park, £999, 5.0★ · Smokey, Honey, Dried Fruit, Toasted
- Port Ellen 1981 / 18 Year Old / Sherry Cask / Old Malt Cask Islay Whisky vs Hibiki Japanese Harmony - 30th Anniversary Limited Edition — Hibiki, £1200, 5.0★ · Honey, Sherried, Malt Extract, Fragant
Different style alternatives to Port Ellen 1981 / 18 Year Old / Sherry Cask / Old Malt Cask Islay Whisky
Same price range with a contrasting flavour profile:
- Port Ellen 1981 / 18 Year Old / Sherry Cask / Old Malt Cask Islay Whisky vs Glengoyne 25 Year Old 1968 Vintage Reserve — Glengoyne, £995, 5.0★ · Malt Extract, Honey, Vanilla, Fresh Fruit
- Port Ellen 1981 / 18 Year Old / Sherry Cask / Old Malt Cask Islay Whisky vs Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling — Old Rip Van Winkle, £1500, 4.5★ · Vanilla, Toasted, Nutty, Oily
- Port Ellen 1981 / 18 Year Old / Sherry Cask / Old Malt Cask Islay Whisky vs Rosebank 21 Year Old 1992 (Special Release 2014) — Rosebank, £1499, 4.2★ · Leafy, Hay-like, Honey, Fresh Fruit
No ratings yet
My Rating
Tap to rate
ABV
40%
Age
NAS
Style
✦ Neatly Summary
Port Ellen 1981 / 18 Year Old / Sherry Cask / Old Malt Cask Islay Whisky is a from Port Ellen (United Kingdom), bottled at 40% ABV. Expect intensely smoky, sweet and oaky character — smokey, kippery, sherried, leathery. Best suited for experienced drinkers who enjoy bold, complex whiskies. A collector's expression at a premium price point.
Port Ellen's 1983 closure transformed its whisky into liquid history; this 1981 vintage, matured 18 years in sherry cask and bottled by Douglas Laing, carries the weight of a lost distillery. Expect rich, honeyed warmth with layers of dried fruit, leather, and a subtle Islay salinity that refuses to fade. The high 50% ABV delivers a full-bodied texture with complex spice and oak integration. Essential drinking for collectors and those seeking a tangible connection to Islay's industrial past.
Community Tasting Notes
No community notes yet. Sign in to add yours.
Neatly may earn a commission · Prices may vary
Similar taste profile
Questions & Answers