The fourteenth edition of the incredibly popular Port Ellen annual releases. Distilled in 1978 and bottled 35 years later in 2014, bottled at cask strength and limited to 2,964 bottles, this is bottle 0690. Port Ellen is the lost jewel in the Islay crown. Closure in 1983 has enabled this distillery to receive a near mythical amount of love and respect. As stocks get thinner on the ground, these bottles become rarer and rarer. Deep gold, polished brass. Initially peppery and malty; second pass reveals a peat-driven aspect with a fine tuned balance between freshness and smoke; think dried citrus peel and tobacco plus hints of iodine. Later inhalations seem to deepen and richen with the accent towards fruit cake before vanilla malt comes to the fore and the peat retreats. Delicious, salivating, fruity-yet-dry delivery includes choc-fudge laced peat, hemp, salt and pepper followed by lanolin, salt and juicy fruitiness to finish. Outstanding balance and length. Concludes as it began, maintaining the malt, oak and smoke in a controlled tension. 56.5% Alc./Vol.