Port Charlotte 2007 CC:01 (Travel Retail Exclusive)
When I see a whisky on the shelves that has matured or has been finished in an exotic cask, I don’t exactly get excited. I’m a bit traditional like that I guess, because I like my whisky to be either ex-sherry or ex-bourbon matured. So when I saw that this Port Charlotte had spent its entire maturation period in ex-cognac casks, I was quite skeptical.
Port Charlotte 2007 CC:01 (57,8%, OB, Travel Retail Exclusive)
Nose: Distinguishable peat smoke and more than a pinch of salt as well. Fairly sweet. Canned pineapples and stewed pears, but also plenty of citrus. Warming spices (cinnamon) and brown sugar as well.
Taste: Warm and earthy peat smoke with subtle hints of iodine. Ginger and black pepper as well. The fruit is there but less prominent. Red apples, apricots and peaches. Lovely oily mouthfeel.
Finish: Peat and iodine with honey and citrus. Long.
Rating: 87
Yep, this is very good stuff. I must admit the young peated spirit works well with the ex-cognac barrel.
Sample provided by Bruichladdich
Thijs is a spirits writer and accredited liquorist from The Netherlands. He runs the blog Words of Whisky and contributes to a number of Dutch and international publications.
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