Port Charlotte 2002/2012 Malts of Scotland

Okay, this young Port Charlotte matured on a sherrycask and was bottled at a whopping cask strength of 63,1% ABV. Let me run downstairs to the garage to fetch my helmet. This is most likely going to be a rough ride. Peat and sherry is a combination that I have never found easy. Here we go.

At first I get all the coastal notes on the nose: salt, seaweeds and of course the Islay peat. Quite farmy too, on the edge of smelly (meant in the nicest possible way). The sherry cask then shows itself, albeit light and discrete, in the form of polished saddle, a bit of oranges and almonds. An apt description in my book would be salt marzipan, should such a thing exist. Water makes the sweet elements more pronounced.

It is rough and sharp on the tongue, clearly a young and wild animal. Djeez! Again quite some silt and smokiness, but it quickly turns very sweet. Yes, that is more like it. Oranges, butterscotch, even apricots. Good, but very loud. I jot down some liquorice and a pinch of dried ginger. Let me add some water. Immediately it becomes very sweet and I cannot get the idea of a full ashtray out of my mind. Again, in the good sense.

The finish is long and warm, allowing sweet and salt to cross the finish line simultaneously.

I have said it before, not an easy combo (for me). I prefer it with a dash of water, since I like the sweet side of whisky. And this one can take it. Sturdy fellow. Not for whippersnappers.

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