Port Charlotte Islay Barley 2014

Bruichladdich Port Charlotte Islay Barley 2014 is a testament to Bruichladdich distillery's commitment to local ingredients and traditional whisky-making methods. This single malt whisky is made exclusively from barley grown on eight farms within 15 miles of the distillery on the Isle of Islay, giving it a unique character and a strong sense of place.

This edition was distilled in 2014 from Concerto and Propino barley, harvested in 2013. The alcohol strength is 50 % and the peat level reaches 40 ppm. Maturation took place in a combination of 84 % first-fill bourbon casks, 8 % second-fill virgin oak casks and 8 % second-fill Bordeaux wine casks.

The aroma begins with notes of malty biscuits and smoldering peat charcoal, followed by sweet vanilla, honey, caramel, and crème brûlée. After a while, fruity notes of lemon zest, grapefruit, ripe melon, peach, and fresh red apple emerge, complemented by hints of sea breeze and gentle spices like nutmeg and cinnamon.

The palate reveals an initial citrus freshness, followed by sweet ripe fruit and gentle peat smoke. A delicate maritime character with a hint of minerality is complemented by notes of oak. With further tasting, a harmonious balance between fruit and smoke is revealed, with a combination of apricots, peaches, and ripe melon, wrapped in toasted heather peat and smoldering peat charcoal.

Maturation in American bourbon casks brings subtle notes of oak, with hints of coconut, creamy marzipan, and tobacco.