I know, I know. Who cares about the packaging, right? After all, only the content of a bottle, the actual whisky, is really what matters. But I’ll be damned if that new bottle design of the Port Charlotte 10 Years Old isn’t super sexy!
A few weeks ago Bruichladdich revealed plans for a complete re-design for their Port Charlotte range. With it, the distillery also announced a series of new releases, including the Port Charlotte 10 Years Old.
Now, there have been earlier iterations of the PC10, but each of those bottlings were limited. The latest release will be a permanent member of the Port Charlotte core range. The expression is made from Scottish barley, and has been matured in first-fill American oak, refill American oak and refill French wine cask.
Port Charlotte 10 Years Old (50%, OB, 2018)
Nose: Well-rounded and integrated, this shows a remarkable amount of farmy aromas, which is quite lovely actually. The peat smoke plays its role. Never too dominant, but always unmistakably present. There’s a soft layer of sweet, tinned pineapple, as well as candied banana and vanilla custard.
Taste: Good, oily texture. Mouth-coating. Lots of soot, and plenty of peat and rubber, as well as just a whisper of gun powder. Spices play a role on the palate as well. Mainly cracked black peppercorns. The wine cask influence is minor, yet noticeable. Nicely balanced.
Finish: Lingering spices, some gunpowder. Finally some berries as well. Long.
Rating: 87
Instantly one of the better 10 years olds out there. Proper Islay whisky, but with a Bruichladdich twist.
Whisky provided by Bruichladdich
