Combining our distillery’s two greatest obsessions, Port Charlotte SC:01 marries impeccable provenance with high-quality French oak. For the first time in our cask exploration series, this release contains 100% Islay grown barley.
This SC: 01 2012 vintage has been conceived, grown, distilled, matured and bottled only on Islay. The 2011 harvest was raised by seven of our farming partners, all within 10 miles of our distillery. In a stunning display of Islay terroir, this locally grown barley is combined with an intricate cask recipe.
Malted to 40ppm by our maltsters on the Scottish mainland, it is returned home to be distilled through tall narrow-necked stills for ultimate elegance and finesse, before taking three separate paths in its maturation journey.
A combination of sherry butts and first and second fill American whiskey barrels were recasked at different points of maturation into some of the finest Sauternes wine casks from the left bank of the Garonne River in Bordeaux.
The result is a complex recipe which culminates in a classic example of our peated single malt; the mellow, floral-style hints of gorse complement honeyed coconut and fudge before opening into the Port Charlotte BBQ peat smoke.
Tasting Notes:
Character: Watching and developing this whisky over the years has been a joy, the influence of the Sauternes casks and the quality of the oak together with the elegance of the Port Charlotte spirit is a match made in heaven. The sweet fruit and delicate peat smoke combination once again result in a classic Port Charlotte expression sure to live long in the memory.
Colour: Marmalade
Nose: Sweet, stone fruit and a delicate floral perfume on the nose with hints of peaches in syrup, dried apricots, honeyed melon and ripe pineapple. Brown sugar, vanilla-fudge, caramel and marzipan are followed by heady notes of honeysuckle and heather. Peat smoke and warm toasted oak come through with a little time to bring depth and complexity to the dram.
Palate: The warmth and supple texture of this dram elegantly coats the palate and brings a balance of light peat smoke and ripe fruit. Another sip confirms both the beautiful viscosity and depth of flavour, as beneath the delicate smoke comes earthy notes of leather and boot polish. The oak brings strength and sweet vanilla, chocolate and citrus to complement the waves of fruit.
Finish: A dram you wish would last forever, the wonderful marine notes and earthy peat smoke linger on the palate with a citrus tang.
"The aroma brings to mind lightly smoked bacon, toasted barley, grass and lemon. Adding just a splash of water brings out some herbal honey and oak. A hint of menthol present as well. The whisky feels moderately full on the palate and a little oily. There's also a touch of dark chocolate along with the sweet and mossy flavors. Overall, an herbal, peaty and dried fruit experience with citrusy honey finish. Intriguing to say the least." - Stephanie Moreno, Distiller
