Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Bottled by: Berry Bros & Rudd 70cl / 61.2%
A single cask of Bruichladdich's heavily-peated Port Charlotte Islay single malt, this is first fill ex-bourbon cask selected by fancy London wine merchants Berry Bros. & Rudd and bottled at its somewhat pointy full cask strength of 61.2%.
Berry Bros really know how to pick a cask, and this one has winner written all over it, although we'd guess a drop of water might be advisable.
Attributes
| Distillery/Brand |
Bruichladdich/Port Charlotte |
| Bottler |
Berry Bros & Rudd |
| Country | Scotland |
| Region | Islay |
| Distilled Year | 2009 |
| Bottling Year | 2021 |
| Age | 11 |
| Cask Type | First-Fill Ex-Bourbon |
| Cask Number | 1435 |
| Limited Edition | Yes |
| Bottles Produced | 248 |
| Bottle Size | 70cl |
| ABV | 61.2% |
| Pre-Owned | No |
Tasting Notes
This first fill ex-bourbon barrel of the cult Port Charlotte distillate barges out of the glass with attitude and swagger, backed up by immense depth and complexity.
Nose: The obvious aromas of peat smoke are followed by spiced vanilla, crème brûlée, and a thick farmy note reminiscent of an old-style of whisky.
Palate: The palate can seem a little one-dimensional at cask strength, which is no bad thing.
Finish: This single-mindedness disappears with the addition of water and an array of malty, fruity notes develop long into the finish. The first Port Charlotte bottled by BB&R, but we’ll make sure it’s not the last.
Ronnie Cox says:
“Martine Nouet the famed whisky writer once gave me a bottle from her early cask of Port Charlotte which was really my epiphany into smoke dominant offerings. Fisherman’s jerseys and sea breeze lure the nose like Sirens to the inevitable... If you love smoke with underlying malty and fruity flavours, stock up on this one!”