Port Ellen 1980 / 16 Year Old / First Cask #89/589/45 Islay Whisky

Astrid Nilsen — Worth every penny for a closed distillery

9/10

I saved up for months and finally pulled the trigger on this Port Ellen 1980. The peat smoke is there but it's wrapped in this gorgeous maritime saltiness and dried fruit sweetness that only comes with 16 years in a first cask. At 46% it doesn't need any water — just pour it neat and sit with it. One of the best drams I've ever had.

Jorge Castillo — Worth every penny for a closed distillery

9/10

I saved up for months and finally pulled the trigger on this Port Ellen 1980. The peat smoke is there but it's wrapped in this gorgeous maritime saltiness and dried fruit sweetness that only comes with 16 years in a first cask. At 46% it doesn't need any water — just pour it neat and sit with it. One of the best drams I've ever had.

Nia Okafor — Worth every penny for a closed distillery

9/10

I saved up for months and finally pulled the trigger on this Port Ellen 1980. The peat smoke is there but it's wrapped in this gorgeous maritime saltiness and dried fruit sweetness that only comes with 16 years in a first cask. At 46% it doesn't need any water — just pour it neat and sit with it. One of the best drams I've ever had.

Ravi Krishnan — The peat is different here

8/10

This isn't your typical Islay peat bomb. The 16 years have smoothed everything out into something more complex — I get smoked honey, a bit of iodine, and this long briny finish that just lingers. The 46% ABV is a sweet spot, strong enough to carry the flavour but not hot at all. Shared this with a friend and we both just sat there quietly for a minute after the first sip.

Clara Johansson — The peat is different here

8/10

This isn't your typical Islay peat bomb. The 16 years have smoothed everything out into something more complex — I get smoked honey, a bit of iodine, and this long briny finish that just lingers. The 46% ABV is a sweet spot, strong enough to carry the flavour but not hot at all. Shared this with a friend and we both just sat there quietly for a minute after the first sip.

Kenji Watanabe — The peat is different here

8/10

This isn't your typical Islay peat bomb. The 16 years have smoothed everything out into something more complex — I get smoked honey, a bit of iodine, and this long briny finish that just lingers. The 46% ABV is a sweet spot, strong enough to carry the flavour but not hot at all. Shared this with a friend and we both just sat there quietly for a minute after the first sip.

Grace Kim — History in a glass

9/10

My local whisky club split a bottle and I'm still thinking about it weeks later. The nose alone is incredible — campfire smoke, dark chocolate, and something almost tropical like overripe banana. Port Ellen closed in 1983 so every bottle is a piece of history, and this first cask single cask expression at 46% really shows what they were capable of. Not something I could afford on my own but an unforgettable experience.

Felix Moreau — History in a glass

9/10

My local whisky club split a bottle and I'm still thinking about it weeks later. The nose alone is incredible — campfire smoke, dark chocolate, and something almost tropical like overripe banana. Port Ellen closed in 1983 so every bottle is a piece of history, and this first cask single cask expression at 46% really shows what they were capable of. Not something I could afford on my own but an unforgettable experience.

Adaobi Eze — History in a glass

9/10

My local whisky club split a bottle and I'm still thinking about it weeks later. The nose alone is incredible — campfire smoke, dark chocolate, and something almost tropical like overripe banana. Port Ellen closed in 1983 so every bottle is a piece of history, and this first cask single cask expression at 46% really shows what they were capable of. Not something I could afford on my own but an unforgettable experience.

Luciano Bianchi — Legendary name, steep ask

7/10

Look, it's Port Ellen and it's a first cask bottling from 1980, so the quality is undeniable — beautiful ashy peat layered with lemon peel and old leather. But at £950 I keep thinking about how many excellent Islays I could buy instead. I'd rate the whisky itself higher, but value matters to me. Had it neat at a tasting and I'm glad I tried it without committing to a full bottle.

Farah Abboud — Legendary name, steep ask

7/10

Look, it's Port Ellen and it's a first cask bottling from 1980, so the quality is undeniable — beautiful ashy peat layered with lemon peel and old leather. But at £950 I keep thinking about how many excellent Islays I could buy instead. I'd rate the whisky itself higher, but value matters to me. Had it neat at a tasting and I'm glad I tried it without committing to a full bottle.

Jake Morrison — Legendary name, steep ask

7/10

Look, it's Port Ellen and it's a first cask bottling from 1980, so the quality is undeniable — beautiful ashy peat layered with lemon peel and old leather. But at £950 I keep thinking about how many excellent Islays I could buy instead. I'd rate the whisky itself higher, but value matters to me. Had it neat at a tasting and I'm glad I tried it without committing to a full bottle.