This is a second look at Bruichladdich's standard heavily peated offering, their 10 year Port Charlotte bottling. This was recently named Whisky of the Year 2023 by YouTube whisky icon Ralfy, and has since become almost unobtainable here in DC. At 10 years old, it's priced right around the same point as Ardbeg 10 or Laphroaig 10 - heavily competitive territory.
Bottled at a rousing (and pleasing) 50% ABV, 100% of the barley comes from Scotland (Inverness region), heavily peated to 40-50 ppm, 65% aged in first fill ex-bourbon casks, 10% second fill ex-bourbon, 25% second fill ex-French wine. Let's dig right in!
Nose: Surprisingly aromatic compared to the last time I had this: Butter, hay, flowers, lime, honey, sea salt, iodine, caramel, stone/mineral, healthy doses of smoke and peat. Hints of mushrooms (mildly funky). Closed off at first, but opens over time and especially with a small splash of water. Takes exceptionally well to water.
Mouthfeel: Medium, silky.
Palate: Citrus (especially lime), peat, smoke, salt, BBQ wood fire, a roasted joint of meat, white wine acidity, light honey, hints of flower bouquets, ginger, more mushrooms. Quite earthy.
Finish: Smoke, peat, ginger, pepper, soft wood, BBQ sauce.
Verdict: Just lovely whisky. No wonder everyone sings its praises. To find some, I had to enlist my mom, who happens to drive past some of Maryland's better liquor stores fairly regularly.
It is unusually delicate and balanced considering how strong the flavors are. The smoke and peat are present but not dominant - the flowers, mushrooms, minerality, sweetness, they are all right there alongside it. A real ensemble of flavors. Highly recommended.
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