The fifth dram from the Malts of Scotland Bottle-Share. Port Charlotte has mostly been hits, with some minor misses every now and then. From what I’ve tasted, I’m not such a big fan of the cask finishes and in my opinion Port Charlotte works best with bourbon casks. There have been a couple of exception, both bottled by the SMWS. Let’s see how this bourbon hogshead fares.

Nose:
Young, but not in a negative way. Not spirity, but very vibrant. Fresh white oak, sharp peat smoke and some heather.

Taste:
Very sharp but what did I expect at 64% ABV? Peppery with a mouth drying feel. It does build up to more sharpness and I get some vanilla and white grapes.

Finish:
The finish gives a more warming feeling to it. It does a little in my throat, but the flavours  are more wintry. A hearth fire smokiness. It lasts for quite a long while with lots of heather and other field herbs without being too floral and too Bowmore.

A tremendous Port Charlotte! For some reason the bourbon cask works very well here, and even better than I remember the PC6 and such bottlings. I really should get into these little Bruichladdich bottlings a bit more, apparently. It could do with a few more fruity tones, but I might get those the next time I taste it (there is a drop left, I believe).

Port Charlotte 2002, Malts of Scotland, Bourbon Hogshead, 64.2%, cask #1172, available for € 78.99 at Jurgen’s Whiskyhuis