Port Ellen 1980 / 16 Year Old / First Cask #89/589/43 Islay Whisky

Aiko Tanaka — First Cask magic

8/10

The first-fill cask influence really comes through — there's a sweetness under all that smoke that you don't always get with Port Ellen. Vanilla, a touch of honey, then that classic ashy peat finish that just lingers forever. At 46% ABV it sits perfectly on the palate without needing any water.

Ryan Mitchell — First Cask magic

8/10

The first-fill cask influence really comes through — there's a sweetness under all that smoke that you don't always get with Port Ellen. Vanilla, a touch of honey, then that classic ashy peat finish that just lingers forever. At 46% ABV it sits perfectly on the palate without needing any water.

Natasha Volkov — First Cask magic

8/10

The first-fill cask influence really comes through — there's a sweetness under all that smoke that you don't always get with Port Ellen. Vanilla, a touch of honey, then that classic ashy peat finish that just lingers forever. At 46% ABV it sits perfectly on the palate without needing any water.

Farah Abboud — Worth every penny for a closed distillery

9/10

I saved up for months to try this and it did not disappoint. Massive peat smoke on the nose that gives way to this beautiful maritime salinity and dried fruit. At 46% it's got enough punch to carry all that complexity without being a hot mess. One of those bottles where you just sit quietly and appreciate what Islay used to be.

Jake Morrison — Worth every penny for a closed distillery

9/10

I saved up for months to try this and it did not disappoint. Massive peat smoke on the nose that gives way to this beautiful maritime salinity and dried fruit. At 46% it's got enough punch to carry all that complexity without being a hot mess. One of those bottles where you just sit quietly and appreciate what Islay used to be.

Elena Morozova — Worth every penny for a closed distillery

9/10

I saved up for months to try this and it did not disappoint. Massive peat smoke on the nose that gives way to this beautiful maritime salinity and dried fruit. At 46% it's got enough punch to carry all that complexity without being a hot mess. One of those bottles where you just sit quietly and appreciate what Islay used to be.

Olivia Wong — Great but not life-changing

7/10

Look, it's a lovely dram. Peaty, coastal, elegant for 16 years old. But at nearly a grand a bottle I expected to see God, and I didn't. Some modern Islays at a tenth of the price get you 80% of the way there. The closed-distillery premium is doing a lot of heavy lifting here.

Gianluca Ferro — Great but not life-changing

7/10

Look, it's a lovely dram. Peaty, coastal, elegant for 16 years old. But at nearly a grand a bottle I expected to see God, and I didn't. Some modern Islays at a tenth of the price get you 80% of the way there. The closed-distillery premium is doing a lot of heavy lifting here.

Emily Thomas — Great but not life-changing

7/10

Look, it's a lovely dram. Peaty, coastal, elegant for 16 years old. But at nearly a grand a bottle I expected to see God, and I didn't. Some modern Islays at a tenth of the price get you 80% of the way there. The closed-distillery premium is doing a lot of heavy lifting here.

Marcus Chen — A piece of whisky history

8/10

Picked up a dram at a tasting event and honestly the hype is real. Classic old-school Port Ellen — iodine, smoked fish, lemon peel, a hint of something waxy underneath. I'd never pay £950 for a full bottle on my salary but I'm glad I got to experience it neat.

Idris Ibrahim — A piece of whisky history

8/10

Picked up a dram at a tasting event and honestly the hype is real. Classic old-school Port Ellen — iodine, smoked fish, lemon peel, a hint of something waxy underneath. I'd never pay £950 for a full bottle on my salary but I'm glad I got to experience it neat.

Sophia Laurent — A piece of whisky history

8/10

Picked up a dram at a tasting event and honestly the hype is real. Classic old-school Port Ellen — iodine, smoked fish, lemon peel, a hint of something waxy underneath. I'd never pay £950 for a full bottle on my salary but I'm glad I got to experience it neat.

Penelope Hart — Shared this with my dad and we both went silent

9/10

Cracked this open for my father's 70th birthday. Neither of us said anything for about a minute after the first sip. Dense smoke, old leather, sea spray, and this gorgeous dried apricot sweetness hiding underneath. A 1980 vintage that's aged beautifully — wish I could afford another bottle.

Alex Ramos — Shared this with my dad and we both went silent

9/10

Cracked this open for my father's 70th birthday. Neither of us said anything for about a minute after the first sip. Dense smoke, old leather, sea spray, and this gorgeous dried apricot sweetness hiding underneath. A 1980 vintage that's aged beautifully — wish I could afford another bottle.

Marianne Blom — Shared this with my dad and we both went silent

9/10

Cracked this open for my father's 70th birthday. Neither of us said anything for about a minute after the first sip. Dense smoke, old leather, sea spray, and this gorgeous dried apricot sweetness hiding underneath. A 1980 vintage that's aged beautifully — wish I could afford another bottle.

Oscar Delgado — Nostalgia tax is real

7/10

Solid Islay single malt, no question. Good peat, nice balance at 46%, and the 16 years have rounded off any rough edges. But I keep comparing it to what you can get from Lagavulin or Ardbeg for a fraction of the price. If you're a collector or Port Ellen completist then sure, but as a daily drinker this isn't where I'd put my money.

Grace Kim — Nostalgia tax is real

7/10

Solid Islay single malt, no question. Good peat, nice balance at 46%, and the 16 years have rounded off any rough edges. But I keep comparing it to what you can get from Lagavulin or Ardbeg for a fraction of the price. If you're a collector or Port Ellen completist then sure, but as a daily drinker this isn't where I'd put my money.

Felix Moreau — Nostalgia tax is real

7/10

Solid Islay single malt, no question. Good peat, nice balance at 46%, and the 16 years have rounded off any rough edges. But I keep comparing it to what you can get from Lagavulin or Ardbeg for a fraction of the price. If you're a collector or Port Ellen completist then sure, but as a daily drinker this isn't where I'd put my money.