Bruichladdich Port Charlotte MRC: 01 2010

Bruichladdich Port Charlotte MRC: 01 2010, 7 YO, 59.2 % 

My dram for the day is a heavily peated little thing from the legendary island of Islay. The Bruichladdich Port Charlotte MRC: 01 2010 was distilled in 2010 and bottled in 2018. The outturn was a total of 8000 bottles.

The official blurb goes like this:

“Distilled from 100% Scottish barley, from the Invernesshire region, this sweet and fruity spirit has spent time in first fill American whiskey casks and second fill French wine casks. These component parts have been combined and matured for an extra year in the finest French oak from the Bordeaux left bank.”

The mentioned wine casks from Bordeaux were from Mouton Rothschild. That could be the reason behind the abbreviation “MRC”, but I do not really know. If you can enlighten me, please let me know!

You can buy the Bruichladdich Port Charlotte MRC: 01 2010 in Norway at NOK 1299 (10635901), or directly from the distillery at GBP 90.

Nose: Red berries, rich wood smoke, vanilla and deep notes of orchard fruits. Sweet barley, porridge, red wine and a cosy fireplace.

Taste: Medium body. Definitely a lot of wine influence on the palate up front. It is surprisingly light in style, although the bonfire peat does add significant weight and spices. Hot and peppery ashes. Apples and apple juice. Fruitier and lighter in style than the regular Port Charlotte 10 YO Heavily Peated.

Finish: Medium to long finish. Warming to the core. Perhaps a bit drier now. It has a slight anesthetic effect on my tongue, but that's just fun.

Comment: A great winter dram. 

Score 89/100

Sláinte!
- Thomas