Port Charlotte Islay Barley 2013

Review by: The Muskox

Another whisky generous pour from a good friend. I recently finished my last bottle of Port Charlotte – I don’t really have “shelf staple” whiskies that I need to keep on hand at all times, but I do like to have a Port Charlotte around. This might be a candidate for my next one.

Distillery: Bruichladdich.

Bottler: Official bottling.

Region: Islay.

ABV: 50%.

Age: 8 years. Distilled in 2013.

Cask type: Matured in American whiskey barrels (Bruichladdich uses this term to describe their combination of ex-bourbon and ex-Tennessee whiskey barrels), with a quarter of the casks finished in first-fill French wine casks.  

Price: $105 CAD.

Color: Straw. Natural Color. Non-chill-filtered.

Nose: Earthy peat smoke. Strong farmyard, nori, smoked chilis, and smoked salt. The smoke has a greenness and acridness that reminds me a little of mezcal. There’s fruit and sweetness too – grapefruit zest, milk chocolate, and a little banana.

Palate: Medium-thick texture. Arrives rather mellow, with sweet peach tea, creamy butterscotch, and earth, then developing to deep peat smoke, eucalyptus, some more farmyard, and black pepper.

Finish: Medium-long, smoky-herbal. Lots of eucalyptus and menthol, salt and pepper, charred driftwood, and lime oil.

Possible SMWS bottling name: “Dewy sunrise beach stroll”

Conclusion: I need to drink more Port Charlotte. I love Port Charlotte, and I still don’t drink enough of it. This whisky seems so effortlessly delicious – it’s straightforward but complex, bold in flavour but entirely balanced, with a great mouthfeel and oddly refreshing finish. I should just go buy some already.

Final Score: 85.

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.

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