A rather interesting new release from Bruichladdich is this 2012 vintage Port Charlotte distilled from 100% Islay Barley harvested in the 2011 growing season by seven of the distillery’s long-term, local farming partners, these Concerto, Propino, Publican, and Oxbridge varieties of Islay-grown barley were later malted to a heavyweight 40 PPM by Baird’s in Inverness. Hailing from Caithness, this Scottish mainland peat is thought to produce a softer, barbeque, heathery smoke in the Port Charlotte spirit as opposed to the more medicinal flavors traditionally associated with Islay sourced peat.
Maturation is a mixed For this specific release, involving refill sherry casks, first and second fill bourbon barrels, and crucially, casks that previously held Sauternes sweet wine from the Gironde region of France.
The Port Charlotte SC:01 2012 will replace the Port Charlotte PAC:01 2011 in the wider Port Charlotte heavily peated range.
Bruichladdich Port Charlotte SC:01 2012 , 55.2% , £95
Nose: Nice sweet entry, with a whiff of sweet smoke, interlaced nicely with stone fruit, and juicy sweet honeyed nectar. Peach jam and stewed apricots on top of vanilla custard, brown sugar galore, and thick caramel candy give way to sweet glazed marinated BBQ meat. The Sauternes effect on the nose is quite evident, and the goes well with the sweet smoke… There’s a nice amount of peat, but it’s not overpowering.
Palate: A prickly entry with fresh ground peppercorns, peat smoke and the fruit we’re got from the nose, some cask char, and sooty notes come out as well. The sweet fruity notes again make an appearance here, as well as some earthy notes alongside vanilla cream, dark chocolate, and leather.
Finish: More on the bitter side with earthy peat, soot bitter dark chocolate, with cocoa and pepper, the fruit is mostly gone.
Conclusion: Lovely Sauternes influenced medium-peated PC, with a fruity touch. Sauternes cask lovers – this one is for you.