Malts of Scotland Images of Islay Loch Indaal Lighthouse

The Images series from Malts of Scotland never reveals the names of the distilleries, but with some good will and deduction one can get close. Take for instance this ‘Loch Indaal Lighthouse’ that has just hit the market. There are two distilleries at the Loch Indaal: Bowmore and Bruichladdich. But if you know your way around Islay, you will find that the lighthouse of Loch Indaal can be found in the village Port Charlotte, about a half hour south of Bruichladdich. Moreover, Bruichladdich produces a whisky with the name Port Charlotte. Need I say more?

Raw patato, salted caramel and cow hide: that is the nose of this bottle in a nutshell. Underneath I find some sweet traits from apples, almonds and corn on the barbecue. Hint of coconut, smoked fish and even some breakfast bacon.

On the palate, it is immediately bull’s eye: smoke, peat and salt. The sweetness, which tries it best to penetrate this, has quite a job trying to stay upright under this assault of peat. Liquorice, pepper, ginger. The apples and nuts are joined by banana and grapefruit. Sturdy fellow!

The finish is long, intensely smoky and again quite sweet.

Raw but magnificent Islay whisky. Yes, I do believe this is PC. Available for around 80 EUR.