Port Charlotte 2001 5 Year Old (PC5)

I have had the chance to taste quite some Port Charlotte, but this week I can complete the range. Let me start with the five year old, hence PC5, at 63,5% ABV. Knowing that this is normally the standard to put spirit in the cask, surely this went in at a higher ABV, right? It was bottled in 2006.

The nose is immediately grand. Very smoky and wonderfully sweet. Loads of white fruit, icing sugar and vanilla. While the elements of the sea and cow stable are present, the emphasis here is clearly on smoke and sweetness. Despite the young age, it is not sharp. Au contraire, it is creamy and round.

The attack is very powerful, smoky and spicy. White fruit, drenched in caramel and honey. Midpalate it becomes rather soft. I do not feel the need to add water. It is quite quaffable.

The finish is, as I expected, long and sweet. At the death, I get some ashes, which is a plus.

This is a gentle giant from Islay. Hat is off to Mr Jim McEwan, who created this.

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