The Port Charlotte Vertical You’ll Likely Never See Again

Port Charlotte has long been a favorite among peated whisky enthusiasts, striking a balance between Islay’s characteristic smokiness and the progressive spirit of Bruichladdich Distillery.
  • Beth Squires is a passionate whisk(e)y enthusiast, writer, and serves as the Deputy Editor at The Whiskey Wash.
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Port Charlotte has long been a favorite among peated whisky enthusiasts, striking a balance between Islay’s characteristic smokiness and the progressive spirit of Bruichladdich Distillery. While not as heavily peated as Octomore, Port Charlotte maintains a distinctive maritime smokiness, underscored by Bruichladdich’s commitment to cask experimentation.

Among its most intriguing releases is the Valinch series, a collection of distillery-exclusive single cask bottlings, each offering a unique take on Port Charlotte’s evolving character. These whiskies were only available to visitors filling their own bottles at the distillery, making them rare by nature. Now, a complete 21-bottle vertical of Port Charlotte Valinch releases has been assembled—an almost unheard-of opportunity for serious collectors and enthusiasts alike. You can purchase the entire vertical for just £3,600 on The Whiskey Wash Shop. 

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A Rare and Unrepeatable Collection

The Valinch series was never designed to be collected as a set. Each bottle was released individually over time, meaning very few people—if any—have managed to bring together a full selection. With only single cask releases included, each whisky in this vertical represents an unrepeatable snapshot of Port Charlotte’s distillation and maturation journey.

What makes this collection particularly compelling is the diverse range of cask finishes. While Port Charlotte is well known for its bourbon and sherry cask influence, the Valinch series takes cask experimentation to another level, featuring finishes in:

  • Rioja – Spanish red wine casks bringing deep fruit and spice.
  • Premier Cru Claret – A prestigious Bordeaux finish, adding structure and tannic complexity.
  • Hermitage-Blanc – A rare white wine cask finish, imparting floral, honeyed character.


These wine casks, alongside traditional bourbon and sherry maturation, create an exploration of how different wood types influence Port Charlotte’s smoky, maritime spirit. 

A Must-Have for Collectors and Enthusiasts

For collectors, this is an extraordinarily rare set. As Valinch releases were limited to distillery visitors, assembling these 21 bottles would have taken years of dedicated effort. The fact that this complete vertical is now available makes it a standout piece for any serious whisky collection.

For enthusiasts, the opportunity to taste through a complete range of Port Charlotte Valinch bottlings is equally compelling. Few whisky experiences allow for such a direct comparison of single cask influences across a consistent distillate. Whether opened across multiple tastings or kept intact as an investment-grade collection, this vertical represents something truly special.

Beyond its rarity, this set offers an educational experience, allowing whisky lovers to explore how different cask types shape the development of Port Charlotte’s signature smoky style. It’s an opportunity to taste the evolution of single cask releases side by side, something even seasoned whisky drinkers rarely have access to.

An Exclusive Opportunity

This is more than just a rare whisky set—it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a complete history of Port Charlotte’s Valinch releases. These bottles were never designed to be acquired together, and their single cask nature means they will never be replicated.

For one discerning collector or enthusiast, this vertical offers the chance to experience Port Charlotte in a way that is simply not possible elsewhere.

Few whisky collections provide such a clear, uninterrupted look at the impact of cask, time, and peat. This is a set that goes beyond rarity—it is a true piece of Islay’s modern whisky history.

Whisky lovers based in the UK can purchase the set now. Anybody outside the UK interested in purchasing can get in touch with us for a shipping quote. 

The Port Charlotte Valinch Cask Exploration Series

  1. Cask Exploration No. 1 12 YO, 53.2%, Distilled 08.11.2002, Sauternes Cask No. 1202
  2. Cask Exploration No. 2 11 YO, 62.0%, Distilled 07.07.2003, Pessac-Leognan Cask No. 637
  3. Cask Exploration No. 3 10 YO, 59.2%, Distilled 13.09.2004, Sherry Hogshead Cask No.953
  4. Cask Exploration No. 4 10 YO, 61.4%, Distilled 27.10.2004, Cadiz Cask No. 1248
  5. Cask Exploration No. 5 10 YO, 63.2%, Distilled 07.10.2004, Oloroso Sherry Cask No. 1064
  6. Cask Exploration No. 6 10 YO, 58.6%, Distilled 12.10.2005, Grenache Blanc Cask No. 1615
  7. Cask Exploration No. 7 9 YO, 64.7%, Distilled 30.08.2006, Rivesaltes Cask No. 1653
  8. Cask Exploration No. 8 10 YO, 59.7%, Distilled 05.12.2005, Rioja Cask No. 2286
  9. Cask Exploration No. 9 9 YO, 60.8%, Distilled 09.10.2006, Viognier Cask No. 2175
  10. Cask Exploration No. 10 12 YO, 58.4%, Distilled 04.12.2003, Bourbon Cask No. R15/358-001
  11. Cask Exploration No. 11 11 YO, 58.2%, Distilled 27.10.2004, VDN Cask No. R12/202-010
  12. Cask Exploration No. 12 9 YO, 59.9%, Distilled 07.09.2007, Barolo Cask No. 1739
  13. Cask Exploration No. 13 12 YO, 57.7%, Distilled 27.10.2004, Bourbon/Monbazillac Cask No. 12/202-27
  14. Cask Exploration No. 14 11 YO, 51.7%, Distilled 21.11.2005, Sherry Butt Cask No. R15/195-001
  15. Cask Exploration No. 15 11 YO, 62.4%, Distilled 04.11.2005, Fresh Bourbon Cask No. 1905
  16. Cask Exploration No. 16 10 YO, 61.3%, Distilled 10.10.2006, Banyuls Cask No. 2170
  17. Cask Exploration No. 17 8 YO, 63.4%, Distilled 26.11.2008, Premier Cru Claret Cask No. 3481
  18. Cask Exploration No. 18 10 YO, 60.4%, Distilled 10.10.2007, Double-wood Cask No.l 0016
  19. Cask Exploration No. 19 12 YO, 56.1%, Distilled 12.10.2005, Hermitage-Blanc Cask No. 1571
  20. Cask Exploration No. 20 10 YO, 63.2%, Distilled 05.10.2007, 1st Fill Pomerol Cask No. 2188
  21. Cask Exploration No. 21 9 YO, 64.2%, Distilled 25.11.2008, 1st Fill Bourbon Barrel No. 3404

Beth Squires

Beth Squires joined Mark Littler Ltd full-time in October 2020 after completing her university degree in English Literature. Since then, she has acquired extensive knowledge about all aspects of whisk(e)y and now holds the position of Deputy Editor at The Whiskey Wash. Beth is passionate about history, industry innovation, marketing, and sustainability. With a special fondness for independently bottled rare scotch, Beth also serves as a whisky bottle investment specialist.

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