Bruichladdich simply launched Port Charlotte SC:01 2012, a 9 yr outdated closely peated whisky of their cask exploration sequence. The barley comes at 40 ppm phenols, malted with peat from Caithness as an alternative of utilizing peat from Islay.
The ultimate whisky is a mixture of three totally different parcels: 16 sherry butts in addition to first and second fill American whiskey barrels. All of those had been recasked into Sauternes casks (French oak) in some unspecified time in the future, therefore SC. Be at liberty to check to final yr’s Port Charlotte PAC:01 which it replaces.
The 2011 harvest was raised by seven of their farming companions, all inside 10 miles of the distillery. For the primary time on this sequence, the discharge incorporates 100% Islay grown barley.
Port Charlotte SC:01 2012 9yo (55,2%, OB 2022)
Nostril: a stunning farmy nostril, with earthy and muddy peat alongside hints of sheep stables. Behind this we discover jammy peaches and melons, in addition to some barbecued pineapple. Hints of black peppercorns, brown sugar and burnt heather. Candy wine casks all the time work effectively with the wealthy peaty character of Port Charlotte in my view, though it wipes out a number of the coastal Islay parts.
Mouth: actually candy and thick, with ripe backyard fruits coming along with barely acrid smoke and deep char. Then burnt nuts, black pepper, leathery notes and candy vanilla pastry. Apricots and Jaffa desserts. Hints of blackberries and honey as effectively.
End: very lengthy. The sweetness progressively makes place for bitter chocolate, coastal salinity and earthy smoke.
The peat and candy Sauternes play effectively collectively on this dram. Some might even discover it just a little too candy and wealthy, but it surely grew on me and left fairly an impression. Briefly: benchmark Port Charlotte. Accessible from Bruichladdich direct or retailers like Grasp of Malt.
