Bruichladdich Distillery recently announced the arrival of Port Charlotte Islay Barley 2014 in the U.S.
A statement from the whisky maker notes that this latest vintage of its heavily peated Islay provenance series is the first of several new single malts set for release in America this year.
The distiller’s notes show that Port Charlotte Islay Barley 2014 was distilled using locally-grown barley harvested from eight farms within 15 miles of the distillery. They do so for a peated Islay single malt that has total traceability and provenance.
Right now, 20 local farmer partnerships grow more than 50 percent of the grain used in Bruichladdich single malts and they help develop new soil-improving practices, encourage crop diversification and support the integral agricultural community on the remote Hebridean island of Islay.
An interesting note, Port Charlotte Islay Barley 2014 is the first new Scotch from Bruichladdich to come without a signature outer aluminum steel tin. This is part of a move to reduce carbon emissions, weight and waste from their entire single malt portfolio, the whisky makers explained.
Port Charlotte Islay Barley 2014 comes bottled at 50% ABV and is 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 distiller’s notes show that on the nose, the whiskey has aromas of malty digestive biscuits and peat embers, followed by sweet vanilla and notes of honey, toffee and Crème Brulee.
On the palate, there’s a citrus tang counterbalanced with gentle peat smoke, moving into a medley of apricot, peach and ripe melon. With notes of stoned fruit and toasted oak, the finish is balanced with a lingering hint of Port Charlotte’s signature barbeque smoke.
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“Our Port Charlotte Islay Barley expressions encapsulate everything a true Islay whisky can and should be, and the latest 2014 vintage is no different,” said Bruichladdich Head Distiller Adam Hannett. “Growing on Islay 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 using Islay barley enhances our pursuit of flavor for a whisky which evokes a true sense of place.”
Port Charlotte Islay Barley 2014 is now available at selected U.S. whisky retailers and has a suggested retail price of $84.99.
For more information, check out www.bruichladdich.com.
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