Port Charlotte 2013 SYC:01
Port Charlotte 2013 SYC:01, part of the Cask Exploration series from the Bruichladdich Distillery in the Islay region, is bottled at 54.4% ABV after 10 years of maturation, finished in Syrah wine casks. Made exclusively from 100% Scottish barley, this expression is malted with peat smoke at 40 PPM and undergoes its entire maturation on the Isle of Islay.
| Country | Scotland |
|---|---|
| Brand | Bruichladdich |
| Type | Single Malt |
| Abv (%) | 54.4 |
| Character | Aromatic, Complex, Smoky |
| Price at the time of tasting | £110 |
| Nose | The first sniff reveals a full-bodied, sweet aroma reminiscent of aged wine. Notes of red berries, vanilla, dried apricot, strawberry jam, and a wine-like character dominate. These are complemented by hints of incense, earthy tones, aged oak, old leather, and salted caramel. As you continue to explore, the nose becomes even sweeter, delivering a smoky, sweet, and full profile. Rich and deeply layered. |
|---|---|
| Palate | Surprisingly smooth on the sip. It begins creamy, full-bodied, and sweet, with flavors of red berries, dried apricot, mango, honey, jam, and vanilla. These sweet notes are balanced by nuances of exhaust smoke, charred oak, ginger, roasted coffee, and salted nuts. |
| Finish | Exceptionally long, with lingering notes of salted nuts, mango, dried apricot, and toasted oak. |
| Overall: | Port Charlotte 2013 SYC:01 has become an absolute favorite for me. While Port Charlotte is a brand I generally admire, this expression has far exceeded my expectations. It masterfully balances the influence of wine casks with its peaty character. The nose is incredibly rich and layered, while the palate is full-bodied and remarkably smooth. At the same time, it lives up to the “heavily peated” label on the bottle, delivering a satisfyingly smoky and peaty profile. |
| Rating | 91/100 |
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