Port Charlotte 10 YO Heavily Peated

Port Charlotte 10 YO Heavily Peated, 50 %

The Port Charlotte 10 YO Heavily Peated was introduced as a core range product for Bruichladdich in 2018. The Islay distillery Bruichladdich has three brand names; the unpeated Bruichladdich, the heavily peated Port Charlotte and the über-peated Octomore.

Port Charlotte 10 YO Heavily Peated has a peat level of 40 ppm phenols. It has been matured in a mix of 1st and 2nd fill American oak bourbon casks, and 2nd fill French wine casks. You can read more in the official product info from Bruichladdich.

You can buy the Port Charlotte 10 YO Heavily Peated in Norway at NOK 700 (7337201), in Sweden at SEK 659 (8061601), and in the UK at around GBP 48. For some strange reason (probably a typo) it is called “Heavy Peated” rather than “Heavily Peated” in the product listing in Norway.

Nose: Very soft and delicate on approach, not at all the “peat monster” you might expect. This is a gentle giant. Fruity with mainly apples, and not at all that peaty on the nose. Earthy wood smoke, mixed with vanilla and toffee. Do I detect some citrus as well? Yes, I do believe so.

Taste: Medium to full body. Pepper, cinnamon and apples. Top notes of citrus. Rich and earthy smoke with traces of ashes. Toasted oak. Sweet and delicious.

Finish: Medium long finish. Rich and fruity all the way. Quite light sweetness now (sugary). Remains quite peaty, and that is the way it should be with a proper Port Charlotte.

Comment: This is for all of you that have yet to discover the joys of peated whisky. Enjoy!

Score 89/100

Sláinte!
- Thomas