Port Charlotte Islay Barley 2013

Octomore 14 Series Tasting, The Oak Barrel, Sydney, 21 February 2024. Whisky #1 Nose: Fragrant, flowery peat with notes of honeysuckle, musk, rose, red grape juice and red fortified wine. With the addition of water the peat is more noticeable but despite the words “Heavily Peated” on the label this is a soft and demure Port Charlotte and nothing like the barbecue aromas of some other peated whiskies or earlier PCs. It’s definitely no peat monster … or at least it’s a charming monster with impeccable manners, in evening dress. Palate: The arrival immediately shows more peat than the nose and much less of the floral vinous presence. This is accompanied by lemon, ruby grapefruit and slightly tart orange. There is a shy barley sugar note along with brine and green olive in the later development, but this is balanced by a citric sweetness. The texture is good and oilier than it may first seem. Water brings out just a hint of sour peat and the texture becomes creamier. Finish: Medium/Long. Green vegetables and yellow citrus, trailing to brine and a puff of smoke in the aftertaste. A very fine start to the evening’s tasting. This is not a hugely complex Port Charlotte and it certainly seemed less prominently smoky than some past expressions, but you can’t argue with the fresh honesty of the profile. The wine influence is particularly subtle but I did notice a disconnect between the nose and palate which, together with a touch of unmistakable youth on the palate, made me deduct a couple of points. It is also not improved by the addition of water, which did nothing positive at all really, so I’d suggest taking this one neat. “Very Good” : 85/100 (4 stars)

Nose: Rich peaty smoke, hints of pepper. A sweet dried fruit like sultanas. Palate: A creamy mouthfeel. Sweet smoked honey, a developing sense of dry dusty grain and building red chilli spice. Finish: The spice continues with sweet dates. A lingering salty smoke, like a beach fire extinguished with sea water.

This is one of my favorite scotch profiles…even influence of fresh malt, mildly smoky peat, and sea kissed brine. Its a remarkably clean taste across the board and a dram i enjoyed start to finish. The wine casks add an interesting sweet and fruity note without overwhelming. I havent done a side by side with the regular 10 to compare and im not sure this bottle will last long enough for me to search it out and try. Guess ill have to buy another!

Nose: Jam, biscuits, pear Palate: Dried cherry, cask char, cloves, brown sugar Finish: Bonfire embers, jam, peat This is sweeter and smokier than PC10. Really tasty. 8/10