Bruichladdich Port Charlotte PC7

This is a barn burnner of a smokey, peatted, thick oily, phenolic blast on arrival. Then giving way to sweet sodded oily malted middle, flowing into a long slow sweet smooth smokey burn. This whisky sit in the bottle an dreams of growing up to be Octomore only to be rudely woken when poured.

Nose: Considering the description "heavily peated whisky", I was pleasantly surprised not to be overwhelmed with peat. But the nose is distinctly of smoke and everything else it can conjure-- rubber and campfires. Not too much else in the smell though.

Palate: Oily, and quite obviously tasting of smoke and butter. Butterscotch too, but a somewhat sour aftertaste.

Finish: Pleasant lingering smoke, for many minutes, the number of which I lost count.

Overall a good experience. My main complaint, besides the ashy sourness on the palate, is that most of the malt's character is defined by the peat alone. To be perfectly fair, I should maybe say that this is not my typical kind of whisky. However, even though I don't scout out peat-bombs, I was pleasantly surprised that I could enjoy this one-- as much as the good score reflects.

Color: Golden Straw

Nose: Starting on the signature Laddie nose. PC or not PC, this is Laddi-Land. The well known “Condensed Milk” kind of fruity sweetness. Then after a second we dive deeper into Peat-Land:Whoa! We’re in Islay that’s for sure. Amazing mingling of Peat Bogs, Smoke, Ashes, peat fires, and some camp fire (have you ever been to the boy scouts? , this kind of fire, yeah!) and also some rubber tires. I call this Sweet and sour.. Wonderful nose. One cannot ask for more.

Palate: The palate is continuing what the nose had promised. The Condensed milk is gone, but is replaced by sweet smoke, Burnt sugar. The Peat is omnipotent here, and is very much ashy. Many similar notes to the 3D3 I’ve previously reviewed, but with more intensity and power (due to the much higher ABV). The ashes are mingling wonderfully with the sweet smoke, Burnt sugar, and also some rubber tires. In 3 words: Sweet, smoky and spicy.

Finish: Very long and luxuries finish : Peat, Smoke, Burnt sugar (bitterness) , Dark chocolate and Spice (Chilly) are playing for endless minutes on your entire palate. I dig this.

Conclusion:

This is not a dram for those who do not appreciate peat, and very strong and mascular malts. For a peat head like me, this is peat heaven, very comforting and the extra ABV (61%!) is noticeable and gives that extra punch. I do like it more than the 3D3 (but not a whole lot more) . I am very keen on trying the other PC releases. Port Charlotte distillery is still not operating, but PC is live an kicking. If you enjoy “in your face” peated malts, this is one to have handy on your whisky Shelf.