"A good well-made example of an independently bottled PC that shows the spirit's raw character"
(Photo from Whiskybase)
Bruichladdich has revealed itself during the last decades as a versatile distillery with a range from minimal to maximal ppm. Port Charlotte is popular under the independent bottlers and very popular among advanced peatheads. This causes prices to rise, obviously, in combination with a scarces availability compared to the likes of Caol Ila or Ledaig. I did not have many independent bottlings of this brands, possibly due to the fact that the ones I tasted did not cause too much enthusiasm from my side. So therefore I am happy to taste this example (blindly) and found rather good (as you can read below).
Nose
Mild smoke combined with sweetness and roasted herbs (rosemary, chive). Ammonium salt, sweet cigars and hints of vinegar. The peat is rather balanced and comfortable, but also has a sharp edge. Followed by citrus, fresh orange juice and a touch of grapefruit. Becomes farmier over time. Also more fruit appears. A drop of water brings out more complex notes like coals, cigarette ashes, lemon and lime scrapes, chalk and the inside of a henhouse. The integration is next to perfect. Beautiful citrus notes, minerals, and a few herbal notes.
Taste
Intense beginning with lots of salmiak, herbal peat and oranges. Some grapefruit juice, smoked walnuts and herbs. Simple and very effective. A little farm-y, some vanilla. It is getting a little bit dirty, which makes it also more interesting. It is better with a little bit of water, which brings out more balance and details on the palate. Really nice integrated smoked citrus fruits (a whole basket of oranges, lemons, limes and grapefruit, maybe even some lychees).
Overall
I find this a rather demanding peater, with a well integrated nose and a more difficult pallate. Water is obligatory for my papalte to make it comfortable. A good example of an independently bottle Port Charlotte that shows the raw character of the spirit.
- Review 2020-032
- Single malt
- Bruichladdich Distillery
- Meadowside Blending
- Distilled in 2001
- Bottled in 2014
- Bourbon cask
- Natural colour
- Non chill-filtered
- 52.4
- 269 bottles
- ±120
- Not available anymore
- Whiskybase #56870
What others say
This sample was part of organised by Whisky4all!
Scores
• these are my personal views, so do not take them too seriously… nothing beats tasting these for yourself •
- Farms
- Smoked lemon
- Salmiak