Port Charlotte SC:01 2012

Ideal!

To begin, we get some sea salt caramel, oak, wet hay, bits of vanilla, leather and white pepper, then getting some heavier oak, dried fruit, tinges of apricot and the rush of peat. the finish has a lighter fruit note, peat, mild brine. The finish is long and rich, withinimal ethanol burn. Fantastic islay, reminds me of the ardbeg 13 harpys tale but with more complexity.

Nose - Sweet peat, sweet lactic funk, sea spray, charred sugary/syrupy green grapes, syrupy poached pears (w/ water) Mostly the same, but with more salt and a little bit less syrupy sweet Taste - Black pepper, clean salty smoke, sweet syrupy green grapes, sweet triple cream brie (w/ water) Same but much less lactic/sweet cream "funk", slight less sweet Finish - Light lingering tingle, sea spray, smoke, ashy syrupy green grapes (w/ water) Same Score - 87/100 Final Thoughts - So this one was good, but it felt a bit one dimensional. Nothing off putting, but just a bit sweet and water tames the sweetness a bit, but sort of ruins the balance. Good bit of Bruichladdich lactic / sweet soft cheese funk in this one that goes great with the sea salt vibes. This feels like a bit of creamy smoked brie where someone added a bit too much sweet grape/pear chutney. It's good, but a bit boring and a tiny bit off balance. Would I drink it if offered? - Yes Would I specifically order it? - Yes Would I buy a bottle? - Maybe NOTE - All reviews are done without factoring in price.