Scotch

Whisky Review: Port Charlotte Heavily Peated PAC: 01 2011

We review Port Charlotte Heavily Peated PAC: 01 2011. It's the latest release in a series from Bruichladdich Distillery on Islay.

OVERALL RATING

8
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Bruichladdich Port Charlotte PAC:01 2011

Tasting Notes

About:

Single malt Scotch (heavily peated); 56.1% ABV; stated age is 8 years; French red wine finish; vintage 2011; price varies from 85 to 95 pounds sterling (around $125 plus shipping).
Appearance:
Chestnut and Oloroso sherry in color, with beading that yields long and fairly large tears.
Nose:
Rich and robust with notes of creosote, tar, clay kiln, a gust of smoke blowing over a calm sea, pine needles, volcanic tilth, whipped cream, vanilla, brown sugar, well-used sauna wood, rhubarb, and sage. I’m reminded of summer days in Bend, Oregon, out on the edge of lava fields, with gurgling brooks nearby, the buzz of insects, and the cloying presence of spicy plant musk carried on gentle warm breezes.
Palate:
A sharper peat than Ardbeg with perhaps a bit less roundness of character and depth than Ardbeg’s recent committee release of Scorch; it sticks to the top of my tongue unforgivingly while imparting notes of creosote, smoked ham, toasted waffles, dark chocolate, and cinnamon. The palate is far less complex than the nose, and less pleasing, as well. The finish is quite long, with the peaty tar outlasting everything else. Well, shit. Make up your mind, Kirk. Now, I’m reminded of ferry pylons in the Puget Sound, which tend to be slathered in creosote. I used to scuba dive with my dad near quite a few ferry landings with giant wolf eels living in amongst the rotten pylons, down lower, betwixt newer ones holding up heavy wooden planks for traffic to board the ferries. Dad and I had to take care not to piss off the huge, square-jawed eels with the flutter of our fins. One wrong move, and your leg was off. Chomp! The finish of this whisky is mouth-coating, while the death is fairly drawn out.
Finish:
Comments:
I recommend inhaling the scent of this whisky as it is drunk. Use a glass with a wide enough rim to do both comfortably. As for my overall impression, I’ve tasted quite a few more pleasing Port Charlottes in my day. However, this one is not bad, by any stretch. I’m not blown away. rnrnIf you find PAC:01 2011 at a fair price, then consider pulling the trigger. I wouldn’t bother at auction, but that’s me. Many diehard peat fanatics in Europe really like this one. Bully for them. rnrnThere is something magical about this Scotch that makes me think of places I’ve been where my senses were freighted with stimulation, as my tasting notes reveal. That’s certainly worth something. Why so evocative? Not all parts equal the sum. Sometimes, the difference is more ethereal than even the weight of smoke.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Whisky Kirk

Kirk Sig's fascination with Scottish whisky ignited in 1987 during a visit to Edinburgh. In the ensuing three and a half decades, he has cultivated an extensive understanding of distilleries, the whisky industry, and the global whisky landscape.

Kirk prides himself on providing candid and unvarnished reviews, eschewing the prevalent flattery and fluff that often permeate whisky commentary. This direct approach has occasionally ruffled feathers in influential circles, which he views as a testament to his commitment to prioritize the interests of the consumer.

Embracing the spirit of investigative journalism, Kirk's reviews delve deeper, leaving no stone—or cask—unturned. He believes in transparency and ensures that readers are privy to any noteworthy findings, fostering an informed and empowered whisky community.

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