Port Charlotte 2002 7 Year Old Malts of Scotland

Malts of Scotland bottled this 7 Year Old Port Charlotte, after maturation in a bourbon hogshead since 8 Nvember 2002. They also bottled an 8 Year Old sherrycask, but more on that later.

The nose is not what I expected it to be. I get little to nothing at first. Molten cheese, a sprinkling of melting, salted butter and diesel fumes. It takes a lot of patience to get some caramel and breakfast cereal. The longer I leave it, the sweeter it becomes. Adding water doesn't really change the nose, but it does bring out more aromas - particularly the diesel fumes.

The first seconds on the palate are soft and sweet, but then - like a T-bomb - it explodes with pepper and makes you gasp for breath - literally. Slightly oily. Pears and grapefruit, wrapped up in light rubber and a touch of tar. Pinch of salt. Good. But it's also a swimmer. Diluted I get the same taste, but more pronounced since my tastebuds aren't so sedated by the high ABV.

The finish is extremely salty and lasts forever, even diluted.

It didn't get off to a good start, but along the way made up for that. Given time, this is one helluva whisky. Islay-lovers will be thrilled with this one.

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