Port Charlotte (Bruichladdich) 2001 PC5 Evolution

Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Distillery Bottling 70cl / 63.5%

An old bottle of the very first official general release of Port Charlotte Islay single malt whisky, Bruichladdich distillery's heavily-peated spirit variant. The landmark Port Charlotte PC5 was released in 2006 as a 5-year-old and was the product of the very first spirit runs following the revival of the Bruichladdich distillery in May 2001. Production of Port Charlotte spirit now makes up around 40% of Bruichladdich's output.

The original Port Charlotte distillery, also known as Lochindaal, operated between 1829 and 1929 and was known to have only used peat to dry the barley, ensuring a strongly phenolic whisky, a style Bruichladdich have enthusiastically embraced. Bruichladdich had planned to restore the original Port Charlotte / Lochindaal distillery, whose original buildings still stand a couple of miles along the coast from Bruichladdich, but sadly those plans have been shelved for some time now.

Matured in sherry and bourbon casks and bottled at a bracing 63.5%, Port Charlotte PC5 5-year-old is a massive and intense young Islay whisky that reeks of coastal zing, peat oils, boiler sheds, and farmyard. Terrific stuff for when you want something with a real kick. 

Attributes

Tasting Notes

Official Tasting Notes:

Colour: Sunshine on warm copper.

Nose: Like a thunderstorm, the aromas burst from the glass like some kind of Hebridean firecracker – exploding with peat, bracken, heather roots, turf, oak, charcoal, marine pitch, and gusting sea squalls – it’s flying! The slipstream reveals sherry – mellow, rich, and nutty; followed by bourbon – sweet vanilla and Russian toffee. Then you find yourself in the eye of the storm: and the fruity aromas drift in – green apples, gooseberry, honeyed limes then a brief respite from the returning storm, which as the spirit warms on the back of the palate, brings an infusion of all the elements that make this island’s whiskies so special.

Palate: all the aromas found on the nose are swept onto the palate with incredible peat-fire warmth, filling the heart with passion. it’s young whisky and old skills in absolute harmony; not for the faint-hearted.

Finish: Deliverance from indifference!