Port Charlotte PC8 Ar Duthchas

This Port Charlotte is 8 years old, as you would have guessed from the label. It was distilled on 18th July 2001 and bottled on 27th July 2009. No less than 30.000 bottles were filled at a whopping 60,5% ABV. I tried it H2H with the PC9.

While peat is obviously present, your nose will first have to deal with a panoply of other aromas: olive oil, candlewax, walnuts, mud, flints. The fruit is hiding. Young apples and lime. With water, I get chalk and vanilla.

Despite the very high ABV, it can be drunk neat. Hot, though. First you are clipped around the ears with ash and tar, but this is immediately followed by a wonderful sweetness in the form of vanilla, coconut and mint. Very spicy with ginger and white pepper. Water blots out a thing or two, but it remains sweet.

The finish is long on ginger and peat.

The nose was good, but on the palate, this is a winner.

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