Bruichladdich Port Charlotte PC11 ‘Eòrna Na h-Alba’ - Scottish Barley. Islay single malt Scotch whisky. 2013 bottling of the limited release heavily peated Scotch.

Port Charlotte (Bruichladdich)

Bruichladdich Distillery was established in 1881 on the Rhinns peninsular on the island of Islay close by the sandy bays of Loch Indaal. Bruichladdich Distillery re-opened in 2001 with much of the original Victorian equipment restored to working order. The first release of Bruichladdich’s new whisky was the highly acclaimed PC5, the first release in the limited Port Charlotte range. Bruichladdich  also produces very highly peated Octamore, Organic using Islay grown barley, and triple and quadruple distilled single malts whiskies. The Bruichladdich Distillery visitor centre welcomes visitors and offers distillery tours including the bottling hall, and the distillery participates in Feis Ile the annual Islay Festival of Malt and Music.

Nose: It opens with rich, sweet, sherry and dry peat smoke, followed by notes of dates, prunes and raisins. Then hints of cinnamon bark, liquorice, juniper and mint. Next to rise is the citrus lemon and honey, synonymous with coastal maturation, and the sweet cereal notes from distillation – apple, pear, apricot and banana.

Palate: It’s a brilliant combination of seductive sherry and viscous texture that delights the palate. Mature “solera” notes of roasted walnut, oak, crème brûlée, tapioca plus the raisin flavours of dark, ripe fruits. Overlaid with all of the magic of handcrafted Islay single malt and this PC11 is really special. The original Port Charlotte was last produced in 1923 and all who made it are no longer alive, however their spirit remains and I hope as they enjoy their angels' sh