Port Ellen McGibbon’s Provenance Winter 1983

Port Ellen McGibbon’s Provenance Winter 1983, 22 YO, 46 %

Image © Whisky Base

This is an old single cask rele4ase from Douglas McGibbon in their McGibbon’s Provenance series. Distilled Winter 1983 and bottled Winter 2006. Matured in a single ex-sherry butt (DMG 2251).

I remember tasting this once before, at a whisky club I was a member of back in the day. I am pretty sure I tasted this in 2007, and I was not all that impressed at the time. What can I say, I was young (well, younger) and naive (well, naiver (?)).

Nose: Heavy with sweetness, dried fruits, medicinal smoke and leather straight off. This is not for the faint of heart. Maybe I was fainter back in 2007? With time, softer vanilla emerges alongside oaky spices and tobacco leaves, followed by dark chocolate and nuts. Warm and comforting. I could nose this dram for hours.

Taste: Medium bodied, although it certainly makes the most of it. A big initial hit of smoke, coal, dust and dried fruits, with a slightly dry edge. The peat and smoke remain medicinal and dry before mellowing into almonds and earthy vanilla.

Finish: Medium to long. Dirty, smoky and sooty throughout, with pepper and oaky spices. It turns drier still, then suddenly lets go at the very end, becoming strangely juicy, fresh and fruity. A hint of mint marks the final farewell.

Comment: Dirty, medicinal and utterly compelling. 

Score 90/100

PS! Big shout out to Alex for the generous sample!

Sláinte!
-Thomas