Port Charlotte SYC: 01 2013 54.4% 70cl

Port Charlotte SYC: 01 2013 54.4% 70cl

An explorative Port Charlotte bottling here, which combines heavily peated spirit with the powerful influence of a Syrah wine cask finish. Distilled from 100% fully traceable Scottish barley peated to 40ppm, it’s an exciting, profoundly complex release made at Islay’s Bruichladdich distillery. Syrah is renowned for its rich spiciness, and the cask influence stands up fantastically well to the thick peat. Aged for a decade and released at 54.4% ABV, it’s a lively, expressive bottling with lots of detail to dig into. 

Official tasting notes: 

Nose: Caramel sweetness is immediate on the nose, followed by a medley of fresh fruit and a subtle hint of peat smoke. Top notes of strawberry, red apple, apricot jam and mixed berries from the Syrah casks come to the fore, underpinned by a combination of oak and lingering smoke. Gentle spices from the oak, ginger, marzipan and honey complement the fruity character, heighted with bonfire smoked oak sweetness.

Palate: Charred oak and elegant barbeque peat smoke coat the palate, beautifully balanced with sweet fruit. Vibrant notes of candied peel, fresh mango, brown sugar and sweet bubble gum add a lightness and complexity, cutting through the smoke. A drop of water draws out the aromatic oak, as lavender and herbal notes combine with smooth honey, ground ginger and roasted coffee beans.

Finish: While the sweetness of fruit and oak remain, a gentle wave of peat smoke is unmistakable on the finish. Toasted Brazil nuts, coconut and cocoa powder bring a delicate creaminess, while a hint of dried seaweed lingers.