About
Bruichladdich is one of the 8 operational distilleries on the Scottish island of Islay, built in 1881. Today Bruichladdich uses all original equipment and traditional methods, utilizing barley only from the local farmers on the island to produce exceptionally high quality scotch whisky, which is always non chill-filtered, coloring free, and bottled either at 46% alc/vol, or cask strength (check, check, and check!). Bruichladdich produces an unpeated whisky, such as their Laddie line up, and heavily peated malts under Port Charlotte sub label, as well as the Octomore single malt, marketed as the peatiest single malt on the planet. Bruichladdich distillery has the tallest stills on Isla, therefore their malts are known for their elegant and refined, floral taste profile.
Port Charlotte Islay Barley 2012 Single Malt Scotch Whisky is a high provenance, heavily-peated single malt was distilled from Islay-grown barley in 2012. A total of eight Islay farms came together to harvest the 2011 crop for Port Charlotte over a tempestuous summer. Each farmer had worked with us before, in Hunter Jackson, Ian Torrance, Ian MacKerrel, Raymond Fletcher, Mark French, Alistair Torrance, Raymond Stewart with father and son team Donald and Andrew Jones. Our community’s commitment to Islay is embodied here, where local barley is raised, distilled, matured and bottled only on Islay.
Tasting Notes
NOSE: A whirlwind of vibrant aromas burst from the glass, an earthy tarred peat smoke announces this is Port Charlotte. lemon, peach and green grapes come from the spirit. Vanilla pods, creamed coconut and chocolate speak of the American oak maturation. The combinations of aromas intertwine and jostle for attention. some time to open allows notes of lemon drizzle cake, white chocolate and peach yogurt to rise wrapped in a velvet blanket of light smoke.
PALATE: Hints of salt reinforce the coastal feel. Dry smoke, salted caramel and apple sauce. Then lemon drops, boiled sweets and ground white pepper. The smoke is light on the palate, tar and charcoal rather than medicinal phenols. Towards the finish and the light gentle spirit has an edge of floral sea breeze, marine and refreshing. The sweetness of the oak and the barley are matched beautifully by the dry peat smoke. Islay grown, the barley seems more distinct and brings through the peach and apple typical of our spirit.
FINISH: Tar and brine, peat smoke and salt, coconut and tobacco. Close your eyes and the smoke takes you to an Islay beach with a driftwood bonfire.