Port Charlotte Islay Barley 2014

Bruichladdich Port Charlotte Islay Barley 2014 is a testament to the 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 a 15-mile radius of the distillery on 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. Alcohol strength is 50 % and peat levels reach 40ppm. It was aged in a combination of 84 % first-fill bourbon barrels, 8 % second-fill virgin oak barrels and 8 % second-fill Bordeaux wine barrels.

The nose starts with notes of malt biscuits and smouldering 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 subtle spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon.

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

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