Review by: TOModera
Okay, I’ve been reviewing a good mixture of Higher End malts and lower end ones. Gotta steady myself, start into some good priced malts that aren’t rare as heck…
Before I dive into the rare as heck ones. Nut on the road, Prick on the Pavement, Taint on the Tarmac, let’s do this!
First up, thanks so much to mentel42 for the swap of this one. It’s (like a whole bunch of whiskies) not available in Ontario at the moment, and if it were, I’d probably have to trade my first born for a bottle.
Not that I know where or who that first born is, but it would be rough doing the trade, none the less.
Port Charlotte An Turas Mor is yet another malt from the Bruichladdich distillery, this one being the first NAS under their Port Charlotte Brand. Don’t blink, they may come out with 2 more whiskies while your eyes involuntarily shut.
The Port Charlotte line is their Heavily Peated ones, the ones that give you coal miner’s lung and you love it.
And… well, that’s all I could find out about this one. It’s the first of the PC that isn’t cask strength, so some people think it’s the red-headed step child. Sure, it’s not loved, but mostly just because the other brothers and sisters all work for NASA.
Enough jibber-jabber, let’s try this!
Distillery: Bruichladdich Distillery.
Bottler: Distillery Bottling.
Region: Islay.
ABV: 46%.
Age: Unknown.
Cask type: American Oak Casks.
Price: N/A in Ontario.
Color: Gold
Nose: Peat, chocolate, dried chili pepper flakes, vanilla, melon, leather, campfire, bacon
Wow. You know, looking back, it’s been awhile since I’ve had a nice, peaty whisky, and this has a nice, smooth smell to it. Just a little heat, some vanilla, a little fruit, and then leather campfire bacon.
Giving up that random kid I don’t know about for a bottle is sounding better as I nose this.
Taste: Sweet corn, peat/smoke, bacon, BBQ ribs, custard, toffee
Almost a bourbon taste to it, yet with that heavy “I just walked into a Southern restaurant and my pants hate me” taste as well.
It’s a good thing, but I wish that the sweetness wasn’t just from the corn, or a little fruit or chocolate elements, or some more spices.
Finish: Peat, yoghurt raisin, anise, cloves, cracklins, brine, Tiramasu, orange juice
Interesting finish. Cracklins are fried pork pieces, like bacon.
Yet there’s a nice spice and acidity to it as well, not just a peat bomb.
Conclusion: I have no idea how any of the hard to find Port Charlotte’s taste, but given how good this is, I can only assume amazing. What I’m saying is: Say hello to your new parents, the Liquor store, if it ever comes to Ontario. That all said, the taste, while nice, need a little more going on to be “Yes I will commit human trafficking” level of good. I’d buy this instead of Ardbeg 10, as it’s just that little bit better, which is saying quite a bit.
Final Score: 86.
Scoring Legend:
- 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
- 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
- 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
- 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
- 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
- 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
- 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
- 50-59: Save it for mixing.
- 0-49: Blech.
Malt Runners 