Port Charlotte is a perennial favorite, progressively rising in age as the years go by. However, following the concept of terrior, Bruichladdich has limited releases of their popular whiskies in a “local edition”, like the Octomore Islay Barley I reviewed here.
Photo Credit: islayinfo.com
This expression was part of the Bruichladdich tasting on the trade day at The Whisky Show, led by Joanne Brown (@job_islay). The PC Islay Barley is made from barley grown on six farms on Islay, was distilled in 2008 (so it’s a 6 year old) and was matured in both American and European oak casks.
Photo Credit: whiskyexperts.net
Port Charlotte Islay Barley (50% ABV, NCF NC)
Appearance: Straw colored, slow legs.
Nose: Mineral peat (somewhat Ardbeg-gy in style), smoke, burnt matches, a blazing wood fire, vanilla, lots of cereal/barley and sliced bread.
Palate: Sweet and light mouth feel, sweet peat, porridge, barley sugar. When you chew a few times, Tropicana orange juice comes out.
Linger: Long, peat and minerals with notes of sweet citrus.
Conclusion
This is a very good expression of the (very good) Port Charlotte line. Fresh, mineral and nicely layered, with lots of peat to satisfy any monster lover!
If you’re ever lucky enough to attend a Jim McEwan tasting and hear him speak with a passion about Islay terroir and the people and the weather and the community and the whisky , it’s really awe-inspiring. Such a light in a world of economics, efficiency of production, science ,
etc etc.