Port Charlotte PC9 An Ataireachd Ard Islay single malt Scotch whisky. Limited release of only 6,000 bottles (the same as 2005's legendary PC5).

Matured in American Oak Casks.

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: No hanging around, it erupts from the glass in an olfactory fusion of black boot polish, pure peat smoke, spicy black peppercorns, treacle toffee, dark succulent dates, crushed sea shells, ozone, menthol – it’s a vortex of aromas. On the second wave, I find Christmas pudding, burnt orange and cinnamon sticks all contained within this cocoon of phenol. Absolute interfusion of Islay character. It’s a life support system – Brilliant!

Palate: No respite, this is the quick and the dead. Now you can taste the rich, sweet flavours from the Spanish casks, the crème brulée from the bourbon, the biscuity, shortbread flavours of the barley, and always, that magical zesty, lemon peel flavour that is so unique to Bruichladdich spirit. Those flavours give the spirit complexity and balanc