A little background

Port Charlotte is the heavily peated line from Bruichladdich (40ppm), though not the heaviest-ly (word?) peated line that is Octomore. As the label clearly states, this is a 10 year old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky bottled at 50% ABV. If you’ve ever had a heavily peated Islay malt you already have the baseline smoky saline flavors in mind. This whisky is comprised of 65% 1st fill American Whiskey casks, 10% 2nd fill American Whiskey casks, and 25% 2nd fill French Wine Casks. It is bottled without chill filtration and no coloring at a retail price of $60.

(Tasted neat from a Tuath Glass)

Color

Greenish Hued Straw

Nose

Vanilla and tropical fruits, especially pineapple, are immediately noticeable. Salty resinous peat looms in the background. Overall a light nose when compared to the palate and finish.

Palate

Very sweet up front with the vanilla and tropical fruits still very much present. The peat is more present along with more of the Islay maritime salinity. The peat leans more towards and earthy clay than ashtray.

Finish

The confectionery sweetness dies down with more clove and allspice present. The earthy peat (with a slight creosote twang) is the last flavor to subside after a couple of minutes.

In closing

If I was to recommend a heavily peated Islay for an inexperienced Islay drinker, I would recommend Port Charlotte Heavily Peated Islay Single Malt Scotch. While heavily peated the smokiness is kept in check by the tropical sweetness, which in turn is kept in check by the spiciness accredited to the 50% ABV. With that said, this is one Islay malt I always have on my shelf due to the flavor per dollar ratio it provides, and at the end of the day it’s just really good.