Single Malt
Scotland
1 Jan 2012
It's the 2012 vintage of the excellent Port Charlotte Islay Barley single malt, made with... Well, with barley from Islay! Eight farms on the island grew the barley, which Bruichladdich distilled and matured in a combination of first-fill bourbon and second-fill wine casks. Big, bold and peaty, this is one supremely satisfying dram.
Toasted coconut, baked earth, a little seaweed, raspberry ice cream.
Cedar, vanilla tablet, a juicy hint of raspberry again, slowly building peat smoke and black pepper.
Subtle salty sea breeze lingers.
Smoky, but by no means is that smokiness overpowering. On the nose : There is a real sweetness here, apples and pears with that smoke gently rising. There is a touch of briny sea salt. On the palate : the smokiness is there but so is that mild sweetness. A touch of vanilla and only the slightest touch of pepper. The finish is gentle with a lasting hint of saltiness and bonfire smoke on the breeze. For a 50% whisky, the lack of alcohol burn is impressive.
