Port Charlotte 16 (2006) Rock’Ndaal 02.2

Review by: Raygun

This was a special release for Feis Ile 2023. Rock’Ndaal is a little music festival Bruichladdich has started to put on during Feis Ile, and does a couple of commemorative releases in conjunction with it. 02.1 was an unpeated release aged in bourbon and Sauternes casks. The other was this peated expression aged in refill wine casks and sherry butts. I usually prefer my Bruichladdich peated, so this ought to be up my street. Reviewed from a sample. Rested about 15 minutes.  

Distillery: Bruichladdich (Port Charlotte)

Bottler: Bruichladdich    

Region/style: Islay single malt Scotch

ABV: 50%

Age: 16 years old. Distilled in 2006 and bottled in 2023.      

Cask type: Refill wine and sherry casks, 2500 bottles.  

Color: 1.5 auburn. Natural color and non-chill-filtered.

Nose: Smoky as expected, with a nice richness to it. Slightly vegetal, reminding me of smoked eggplant. Then the fruit comes in. There are pears, mixed berries, and plums.                        

Palate: They don’t say what kind of wine casks, but I wonder if it’s a mix of red and white. It has elements of both. Rich and somewhat ashy smoke. Raspberries and blackberries, pears, and graphite. Gets a little savory with some roasted tomato and rosemary. The smoke is stronger here.      

Finish: Powerfully smoky with lots of tart plum and berries now. The sweet side comes out more. Gets a little more herbal as well. Nice length and it develops well. Little prickly for 50%.     

Conclusion: Having a tough time making my mind up about it. Ultimately decided it was very good, but not at the level of the best PCs I’ve had. Not that there’s anything wrong with it. Just lacking the “wow” factor for me. Still plenty tasty. 

Score: 84

Scoring Legend:

  • 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky. (Convalmore 36)
  • 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category. (Bruichladdich Black Art 4.1)
  • 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram. (Ledaig 13 Amontillado)
  • 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff. (Tomatin 18)
  • 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting. (Glen Scotia 15)
  • 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better. (Aultmore 12)
  • 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink. (Glenmorangie 10)
  • 50-59: Save it for mixing. (Old Pulteney 12)
  • 0-49: Blech. (Muirhead’s Silver Seal 16)

Published by Raygun

Unknown's avatar

I drank Scotch occasionally (mostly at family gatherings) for years, but started getting more interested after an introduction and tasting from a Scottish acquaintance. That led to buying my first bottle (Highland Park 12). Now 600+ spirits later, Scotch is still my first love, but I drink other whisky and dabble in brandy as well.

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