Style: Sweet, Barbeque smoke and Spicy
Nose:
Sticky Riesling injected with a dose of barbeque smoke and iodine. A string of sweet white grapes, powerful chilli spice peeling off a layer of earthiness. Spearmint overtone, sugared green mangoes, dried apricots and meat stock shining at the core. Sweet and feisty.
Palate:
Sweet, smoky apricots served on the palate. Crystallized pears and sugar plums creating a round, satisfying sweetness, which circles around some smoked mackerel notes. Vanilla sugar, dry hay stacks building on top of iodine brushes, a seaside farm-y vibe I am getting here… Wine texture, a hint of olives and barbeque pork with a pinch of sea salt. Roasted coffee beans chocolate at the back. Finishes with subtle liquorice roots.
Finish:
Stewed tropical fruits with tarry smoke gently lacing around it. Clean, sweet white grapes continue to linger. Quite nice.
Thoughts:
Oddly, I see glimpses of Port Ellen in this dram. Of course they are not the same thing, also, young Port Ellen are usually much tighter than Port Charlotte. But there are a few overlapping moments which reminds me of a good PE in this PC – maybe it is the near-perfect distribution between fruitiness, meatiness, maritime notes and peat smoke, they gather, synergize and paint a colourful picture in front of you… Not saying this is the best whisky, but drams like this make me feel Port Charlotte is so underrated.
☆ [Recommended]
[57.8% • 2015 Bottled • 2007 Distilled • Original Bottling • Limited Release • Travel Retail Exclusive • Non Coloured • Non Chill Filtered • No Age Statement • Aged 8 Years • *]
-Esmond
WhiskNick 