Port Charlotte unveils new vintage
Bruichladdich Distillery has launched Port Charlotte Islay Barley 2014, the latest vintage in its island provenance series.
The single malt whisky was conceived, distilled, matured and bottled on Islay using barley exclusively grown on the island from eight separate farms. “Our Port Charlotte Islay Barley expressions encapsulate everything an Islay whisky can and should be, and the latest 2014 vintage is no different,” said head distiller Adam Hannett. “However, growing on Islay is no mean feat. Our location on Scotland’s rugged west coast and unpredictable weather, coupled with grazing wild geese and deer, means a successful harvest is never a given. But it’s a risk worth taking. “As well as adding complexity to the character of this single malt, using Islay-grown barley goes beyond just the pursuit of flavour. This is a whisky that evokes a true sense of place, helps support Islay’s agricultural economy, and celebrates our island community.” Each of the farmers that contributed to the production of the whisky is located a maximum of 15 miles from the distillery. Each local farmer undertook the risk of growing in challenging conditions to deliver the barley used for the 2014 vintage, resulting in a Port Charlotte single malt with total traceability and provenance. Bruichladdich Distillery works with a total of 20 farming partners on Islay, with more than 50% of the distillery’s barley grown on the remote Hebridean island. These farming partnerships help to develop new soil-improving practices and encourage crop diversification, in addition to supporting the integral agricultural community. Port Charlotte Islay Barley 2014 offers a ‘quiet complexity’, and showcases ‘the delicate balance of fruit and smoke’ that the single malt is renowned for. Bottled at 50% ABV and peated to 40 PPM, the maturation profile consists of 84% in first-fill Bourbon casks, 8% in second-fill virgin oak, and 8% in second-fill Bordeaux wine casks. The whisky boasts malty digestive biscuits and peat embers on the nose, followed by sweet vanilla and notes of honey, toffee and crème brûlée. On the palate a citrus tang can be detected, counterbalanced with gentle peat smoke, before moving into a medley of apricot, peach and ripe melon. The finish is said to be balanced with a lingering hint of Port Charlotte’s signature barbecue smoke. Port Charlotte Islay Barley 2014 is priced at RRP £75 (US$90.64) and available to purchase via bruichladdich.com or at selected specialist whisky retailers. Last year, Bruichladdich removed the tinned packaging from its core single malt brands.
