Port Charlotte Islay Barley

Bruichladdich Masterclass, The Oak Barrel, Sydney, 19 February 2018, Whisky #3 Nose: The characteristic Bruichladdich distillery musky, dusky, floral character just peeps through. There are some maritime qualities as well but more than anything it's the aroma of freshly peat-smoked barley that hits you. A strongly smoky and waxy/oily cereal nose. Palate: A crisp but not aggressive arrival mainly featuring peat smoke and malt. The development brings out more of an oily maritime character, lemon zest and licorice. There's also a sweet nutty quality that I don't think I've noticed before in a Port Charlotte. The palate becomes sweeter over time, but adding water brings out pickles and pepper spice. Finish: Long and smoky with some invigorating hot spicy notes (cinnamon? ginger?) and a seashore mineral quality, like wet sand or rocks, and a touch of tannin (but no bitterness). There is an interesting comparison to be made with Port Charlotte 10 Year Old Second Edition and with Bruichladdich Islay Barley (which is the direct unpeated equivalent from this distillery). There are many similarities but this expression shares a bright, spicy and definitely nutty profile with the BIB that is not in the PC10. The PC10 is more rounded and has delightful honey and fruit notes that don't appear here or in the BIB. Whether these differences are due to different barley - who knows? The nuttiness may well be due to the Islay barley, but I'd think the other differences are more to do with maturation and a greater cask influence on the PC10/2nd. An enjoyable whisky, which I'm rating slightly higher than the Bruichladdich Rockside Farm Islay Barley 2007, but lower than the Port Charlotte 10YO Second Edition. At the asking price this is a very good dram. "Excellent" : 88/100 (4.5 stars)