Port Charlotte – Islay Barley 2011

It’s time for a Whisky Wednesday post and this tremendous single malt is an absolute classic and a perfect tipple to indulge in whilst sitting outside in the sun.

Today’s post is on Port Charlotte – Islay Barley 2011

History

Port Charlotte is one of the many single malt whiskies which is distilled at The Bruichladdich Distillery.

The distillery is situated on the isle of Islay in Scotland within the Rhinns area.

It was built in 1881 by the Harvey Brothers, William, John and Robert which lies on the shore of Loch Indaal in Islay.

This passionate and well-driven whisky family have owned two distilleries since the early 1770s.

Due to the success that the two former distilleries had produced, the Harvey family made the call and built their third distillery and named it Bruichladdich.

The older distilleries which are located on the Isle were developed from old farm buildings, whereas Bruichladdich was built with stone from the local seashore of Loch Indaal.

This is the location of the distillery and I must say it looks absolutely beautiful, even the area of where it is right next to the shore, I would love to get the chance to go and visit one day, I think it would be totally worth it.

The uniquely tall and narrow-necked stills were chosen to produce a pure and original spirit.

Over the next forty years, the distillery went through a phase of new owners and nearly avoided a massive closure in 1994.

In December 2000 the distillery was sold to a group of private investors which was led by Mark Reynier and Jim Mcewan who originally worked for Bowmore Distillery was employed as the master distiller and production director.

Then, in July 2012, Remy Cointreau reached an agreement with Bruichladdich to buy the distillery in the sum of £58 million.

Today as the current distillery stands all whiskies are sold as single malts and the distillery now owns 3 of its own brands.

The Bruichladdich whiskies are unpeated and are distilled in American Oak, European Oak and New Oak casks.

Port Charlotte which is the whisky I’ve got is heavily peated and these whiskies are produced in American Oak, European Oak and New Oak casks.

Finally, Octomore which is super heavily peated and is considered to be most heavily peated whisky in the world, this whisky is transported into American Oak casks.

All of the barley which is used in the whisky distilling process is all Scottish and the majority of the barley has been growing in Islay since 2004.

The distillery still uses traditional victorian equipment and one piece of this equipment which is extraordinary to see that it’s still being used is the mash tun, just like beer, the whisky process uses a mash tun to mix all the flavours together.

Port Charlotte whisky has become increasingly popular over the years and I am so proud to own my own bottle of it because let’s be truthful here, it’s gorgeous.

This very special whisky as well uses water which is from the Isle of Islay itself, this is to provide tremendous flavours.

As time goes on, Bruichladdich is in the process to produce more whiskies to support the demand for customers and clients.

Tasting Notes 

A heavily peated and rich whisky with fresh fruit and mint, slightly salty but finishes with citrus on the aftertaste.

Review

I bought this whisky last month, I was surfing The Whisky Shop (Whisky Wednesday Deals) and I came across Port Charlotte 2011, it was valued £30.00 but would usually cost around £65.00, it was a bargain and because it tempted me so much, I had to buy it.

I first sampled this whisky a couple of days ago and when you buy something new, you never know what to expect!

I was getting really excited to indulge into this whisky, especially that it was a warm day and it was perfect time to sit outside in the sunshine.

Well what can I tell you on my first thoughts, the aromas were fabulous and perfect, there was a hint of caramel with some pleasant tropical fruits.

The taste in my mind was just as good as the aromas, it was very sweet and citrusy and I would say there was a small hint of herbiness inside.

To give you a visual insight, this is what I was tucking into!

What a marvellous whisky, I just couldn’t believe my eyes when I took my first sample, I also love the bottle case, it also helps when distillers provide the vital information on the case, just like this to show that it’s heavily peated.

Just before I finished my last sip of this amazing tipple, I finally indulged myself into the beautiful aromas and flavours and relaxed for the rest of the evening.

Ending

I personally want to thank the Bruichladdich Distillery for producing such an amazing whisky, in my eyes, this whisky is one the finest and best one I’ve ever tasted.

This is now my favourite whisky of all time!

This is why I am personally recommending this whisky to you if any of my followers have sampled whisky or that you’ve been to Scotland, I would love to hear your views and feedback.

I’ve always wanted to go to Scotland and I am hoping in the future I will get the chance, I really cannot wait.

Cheers

The Cask Connoisseur