Port Charlotte Islay Barley 2013

Octomore 14 Series Tasting, The Oak Barrel, Sydney, February 21, 2024. Whisky #1 Nose: Aromatic, floral peat with hints of honeysuckle, musk, rose, red grape juice, and red fortified wine. Adding water makes the peat more apparent, but despite the "Heavily Peated" description, this is a gentle and refined Port Charlotte, unlike the barbecue scents of some other peated whiskies or earlier Port Charlottes. It's certainly not a peat monster, or perhaps it's a charming monster with perfect manners and formal attire. Palate: The initial taste shows more peat than the aroma and significantly less of the floral, wine-like character. This is accompanied by lemon, ruby grapefruit, and slightly tart orange. There's a subtle barley sugar note along with brine and green olive in the later stages, but it's balanced by a citrus sweetness. The texture is good and feels oilier than it initially appears. Water brings out a faint hint of sour peat and makes the texture creamier. Finish: Medium/Long. Green vegetables and yellow citrus, fading into brine and a puff of smoke in the aftertaste. A very fine beginning to the evening's tasting. This isn't an exceptionally complex Port Charlotte and it definitely seemed less intensely smoky than some previous versions, but the fresh, honest profile is undeniable. The wine influence is particularly subtle, but I did notice a disconnect between the nose and palate. Combined with a touch of undeniable youth on the palate, this led me to deduct a couple of points. It's also not improved by water, which didn't add any positive qualities, so I'd suggest enjoying this one neat. "Very Good": 85/100 (4 stars)

This aligns with some of my favorite scotch characteristics…even with the influence of fresh malt, gently smoky peat, and a hint of sea salt. It possesses a remarkably clean taste throughout and was a dram I savored from beginning to end. The wine cask influence adds an interesting sweet and fruity dimension without being overpowering. I haven't compared it directly with the standard 10 year and I doubt this bottle will last long enough for me to seek out a comparison. I suppose another will need to be purchased!

Aroma: Intense smoky peat, with undertones of pepper. A sweet dried fruit, like sultanas. Palate: Smooth and creamy texture. Sweet smoked honey, with developing notes of dry, dusty grain and a building red chili spice. Finish: The spice persists with sweet dates. A lingering salty smoke, reminiscent of a beach fire extinguished with seawater.

Nose: smoky vanilla, ash, floral, pear Palate: pepper, orchard fruits (pear), ash, caramel, very oily Finish: smoke, pepper, coats the mouth, long, slightly bitter, tobacco, salt

Aroma: Jam, biscuits, pear Palate: Dried cherry, cask char, cloves, brown sugar Finish: Bonfire embers, jam, peat This is sweeter and smokier than PC10. Really tasty. Score: 8/10

Peaty, smooth, and zesty.