Bruichladdich is a brand that I do not often review and that also applies to its peated varieties, Port Charlotte and Octomore. I have never even reviewed the latter, partly because this is really not my taste. However, I’m increasingly appreciating Port Charlotte. After having tasted some very beautiful independent releases, I thought it was time to try and review some of the original bottlings, starting with the Port Charlotte 10-year-old.
After 2 years of absence, this Port Charlotte has been relaunched since 2018, along with a new design for its bottles. Together with the Port Charlotte Scottish Barley 2011, Port Charlotte MRC: 01 2010 and MC: 01 2009, it now forms the permanent range for this brand.
This Port Charlotte has matured in first-fill American whiskey casks (65%) second-fill American whiskey casks (10%) and second-fill French wine casks (25%) and is peated to 40ppm. Bottled at 50% ABV.
Port Charlotte 10-year-old tasting notes:
Nose: Smoked fish flakes or bonito flakes, a layer of peat and seaweed. Lemons start to appear now. Burned wood and iodine. Later it becomes a little bit more fruity.
Taste: Sweeter than you would expect from the nose. It’s still peaty though, but you also have milk chocolate and a hint of vanilla custard here. Somewhat creamy. Then lemons and barley sugar, followed by unripe pears in the background.
Finish: The finish is mid-long, mostly with peat and there’s some sweetness here.
Straight in your face, no-nonsense heavily peated whisky. Do I like it? Yes!
Photo credit: Whiskybase.
