Bruichladdich Launches Port Charlotte 18 Year Old
Bruichladdich has launched Port Charlotte 18 Year Old, the oldest expression of Port Charlotte to be released by the distillery to date.
Distilled in 2004 from 100% Scottish mainland barley peated to 40 PPM (parts per million), Port Charlotte 18 Year Old was matured entirely on Islay in a combination of refill sherry casks (74%) and refill French oak wine casks (26%).
Bruichladdich’s official tasting notes for Port Charlotte 18 Year Old follow:
Nose – Notes of dried fruit, figs, sweet sultanas and raisins immediately open on the nose, followed by soft smoke and mellow oak. As the whisky opens further it reveals leathery notes of tobacco and burnt heather, with marine-tinged smoke balanced with cinder toffee and date syrup.
Palate – Gentle and beautifully balanced, the whisky is predominantly sweet and fruity on the palate with dried dark fruits and chocolate. The influence of the oak is mellow with warm toasted spices, cinnamon, gingerbread and nutmeg coming to the fore. Orange citrus, cinder toffee and honey complement the soft, smoked grain, with notes of peat-infused scones, smoked popcorn and salted caramel.
Finish – Wood spices, smoked leather and a subtle nutty salinity round off the complex dram, while soft peat smoke lingers.
Bottled NCF (non chill-filtered) and coloring free at 54.3% ABV, Port Charlotte 18 Year Old is limited to 6,000 bottles and carries a suggested retail price of $199.99.
Source: Bruichladdich Distillery.