Which Port Ellen?
 

A question for the experts: I'm thinking of picking up one of the annual Port Ellen releases, and I'd like to know which among the 6th through 9th releases combines the best in terms of quality with collectibility (I know, they're mostly all damn good). I would be holding onto this for some years before drinking it. The most recent ones, i.e. the 10th and 11th, are too crazy expensive for my wallet, so I'm looking for value but I'd be willing to pay up for the right one. Too bad I can only get one!! :( -Any ideas?

Port Ellen
 

I have had all from the Port Ellen 7th release on -and- to me the best was the 9th release a couple of years ago. They are all going to have a very similar flavor profile and honestly if you sat us all down we wouldn’t be able to tell the difference .... however the 9th release to me was great. I still have about a quarter of a bottle left of my last one so that one will be savored.

I'm not sure if it's helpful, but at the suggestion of a few friends at the whisky shop I tried the Signatory Port Ellen 25 year and it had the longest, best finish of anything I've ever tried.
For a full 20 minutes I kept reaching to have a sip of something else, then put it back down because the smoke just kept going...

I have heard great things about the 7th and 9th releases. I myself have tasted the 7th and thought it fantastic. The newest 12th release has also received great reviews, however it is incredibly hard to find and I believe has a price tag of $800 minimum in the US.

A little more info on the 25 year Signatory Vintage bottling I tried:
Cask #2845
Distilled: 11/11/1982
Bottled: 12/18/2007
Abv. 58.7%