Port Charlotte 10 Year

 

It's been some time since I reviewed anything from Bruichladdich's heavily peated Port Charlotte imprint. I've had their Scottish Barley and the now-discontinued Peat Project (which I didn't care for). This time around it's their core 10 year bottling, which is peated to about 40 ppm, according to their website. Also from their website: 65% 1st fill American whiskey, 25% 2nd fill French wine, and 10% 2nd fill American whiskey. Bourbon? Rye? 100% malted? Who knows what they mean by that. Bottled at a nice 50% ABV (take notes, competitors!) with no chill filtration or coloring. Let's see what we have here...

Nose: Yes, that's heavily peated alright. Underneath the peat is a nice menthol/mint scent that is quite earthy and sweet. Something a bit rubbery, as well. Something meaty - like classic beef jerky. Hints and glints of bright citrus - like lemon or lime zest. Hints of red wine tannins. Coffee. And perhaps a few more herbs besides the mint are playing in there as well - lavender? It's an earthy, highly complex, and quite attractive nose. 

Mouthfeel: Very heavy and oily. 

Palate: Motor oil and mint! Interesting first impression. But strong tar is married to that menthol flavor, until both develop into espresso coffee. After that, I get a strong array of fruit - banana, lemon, apples, exotic fruit I can't put a finger on. Finally, before the finish, the last gasp of the development is ... sweet orange creamsicle! No kidding. It's a bit buried under the peat and smoke that linger about, but it's in there. On a side note, it's impossible to tell that this is 50% alcohol - it drinks amazingly smoothly. 

Finish: Quite long - peat and smoke and mint and light wood elements. A little black pepper. A little of the exotic fruit. Quite complex for an Islay finish... or for any finish. 

Verdict: This is a really excellent representation of Islay Scotch, right up there with Ardbeg 10 and Laphroaig 10. It's highly complicated, but always attractive, full of intriguing flavors from nose to finish. This bottle won't last long, I predict. Highly recommended.