Port Charlotte PC6

Port Charlotte isn't a distillery on Islay, although it did exist once. Founded by Colin Campbell in 1829, she was closed in 1929. Previously she was also known as Lochindaal Distillery. In 2007, Bruichladdich announced plans to re-open the distillery, but the financial crisis made them think again. So far, it hasn't happened. What has happened is production, marketing and release of several whiskies under the Port Charlotte label. This PC6, distilled in 2001 and bottled in 2007, is one of those, finished on Madeira wine casks.

The nose on this PC6 is very creamy, almost fatty. A lot of smoke, cod liver oil and rubber. A new leather sofa. A whiff of cowhide. Right behind that, quite a bit of lemon, pear and apricots (must be the wine cask). Adding water makes it fruitier, but also very farmy. Special. I think it has to grow on you. I'm still in doubt myself.

The attack if very hot with black pepper and a truckload of smoke and peat. Nothing much else, that's how powerful the alcohol is. So let's add some water. Pear to the fore, but still very peaty.

The finish is lingering, warm and fruity with... dried plums? Silt at the death.

Wow, this is a feisty beast, with it's peat level of 40ppm. Oh, by the way : Cuairt-Beatha is Gaelic for 'the walk of life'. Think Mark Reynier is a Straits fan?

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