Port Charlotte 2014 - 7 Year Old Islay Barley Heavily Peated

Aroma:  In the foreground, earthy tarry peat smoke, mild vanilla pods, cherry-coconut, and sweet chocolate. Then come lemon cake, iced tea peach, and white chocolate, enveloped by a diffuse veil of smoke.

Flavor:  Maritime salt notes wash over into salty caramel and dry campfire smoke. A light floral scent softens the charcoal and tar notes. Typical apple and peach notes from the distillery can also be found here, along with rounded grain and honey aromas.

Finish:  What remains are salty sea air, campfire smoke, and tobacco notes. The medium-length finish is softened by a lovely coconut note.

The Port Charlotte 2014 Vintage is a heavily peated whisky from the Bruichladdich distillery. Especially with the Islay Barley releases, it becomes clear how serious the whisky makers are about their motto: Terroir matters. From the grain to the finished distillate, this is a true islander from head to toe. So if you can taste terroir in whisky, it’s here.

Here, the heavily peated malted barley takes center stage in terms of aroma and flavor. Nevertheless, the whisky, with its 7 years of aging, is not one-dimensional. The maritime smoky Islay notes are complemented by sweet peach, vanilla, and coconut aromas from American oak. The intensity of the aromas is also due to the fact that the whisky was bottled at a robust 50% alcohol by volume, essentially cask strength, allowing for the absence of chill filtration. This is typical Bruichladdich quality standards. One of the reasons for the distillery's large fan base.

Like a warm summer evening on the beach with a crackling campfire, salty sea air, and cool sand between your toes. That’s how Port Charlotte tastes. Our tip for even more enjoyment: Taste it in good company with friends or family, because it tastes even better together!