A heavily peated (40ppm) 18 year old bottling from Port Charlotte, Islay. Interesting matured in a combination of first fill bourbon casks and second fill sherry casks, with a small amount filled into sherry casks for 11 years then recasked into Virgin French Oak for about five years and finally recasked into second fill bourbon barrels. Everything was then married together and bottled in to a limited run of 8000 bottles. The resulting dram is gloriously sweet and smoky.

Official Tasting Notes

Colour: Golden syrup.

Nose: Dried fruits are immediate on the nose, with the aroma of figs, sultanas and raisins mingling with sweet smoke and mellow oak. As the whisky breathes, charred oak, tobacco and earthy heather come to the fore, complimenting the delicate sweetness of caramel, toffee and date syrup.

Palate: Luxuriously smooth in texture, dark brown sugar, apricot jam and sweet heather honey coat the palate. This initial sweetness is punctuated by Port Charlotte’s signature peat smoke, with the subtle influence of toasted oak adding depth and complexity. The earthy, barbeque smoke adds a savoury element, beautifully balanced with rich crème brûlée, hazelnut and toasted coconut. A subtle minerality not only nods to the whisky’s all-Islay maturation but adds a hint of salt, cutting through the sweetness.

Finish: Wood spices, smoked leather and a subtle nutty salinity settle on the finish, while the inimitable whisper of Port Charlotte peat smoke lingers.