Port Ellen 37 Year Old 2017 Special Release

One of the 2017 Special Releases from Diageo, this 37 year old Islay single malt was distilled at the now closed Port Ellen distillery in 1979. Matured in refill American oak hogsheads and butts for almost four decades, this is the 17th in an annual series of limited releases, with only 2,988 individually numbered bottles have been produced at a strength of 51% abv.The nose opens with characteristic peat-reek, charred wax and tropical fruits following with chamois leather and sherbet lemon. Evolving to freshly cut grass and wild flowers with an earthy peat and wood smoke. The palate is smooth and oily with fruity citrus notes, a savoury earthiness and spicy smoked meats, before dark chocolate and burnt orange emerge. The finish is smooth, warming and spicy.