ISLAY BARLEY 2013

ISLAND, CRUACH, COULL, ROCKSIDE, DUNLOSSIT ESTATE, MULINDRY AMD SUNDERLAND FARMS.

This Port Charlotte dram was distilled in 2013 using barley from seven Islay farms. In all we now have 19 farmers who have made commitment to grow for us and to who we are equally committed. This Islay barley is who we are. This is where we are from.

"“THERE IS SOMETHING MAGICAL ABOUT HOW THE ISLAY GROWN BARLEY HOLDS THE SMOKE BACK FOR A MOMENT UNTIL RELEASING IT DRAMATICALLY ON THE FINISH.”"

- Adam Hannett, Head Distiller


ISLAY BARLEY 2013

Tasting Notes


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Character

- Islay grown barley brings so much complexity to the character in this whisky. The peat smoke in this Port Charlotte is, as ever, beautifully evocative of that traditional Islay style. Purity from the distillation and complexity of maturation brings all the components together with harmony and balance.

Colour

- Pale Gorse Flowers.

Nose

- The nose opens with delicate floral notes of lily and geranium before warm orange zest and dried earthy peat smoke brings body and gravity. Banoffee pie and digestive biscuit come out from behind the peat smoke and carry forward this dram’s malty, fruity character. Cherry coconut and malted barley jostle with apricot and melon. The nose is so enticing; the sweetness of the oak and the outstanding rubbery, peppery phenolic notes are balanced perfectly with the fruit and floral style of our slow, careful fermentation and distillation.

Palate

- The first taste is a wondrous thing; all at once, the salinity, the fruit, the light peat smoke, and the sweet oak show their presence in a whirl of complexity and entice you in to go again. There is great texture from the spirit, and its time resting in carefully selected oak allows a subtle almond note to combine with coconut, caramel, vanilla, and muscovado sugar. The peat smoke in this whisky is as beautifully balanced as ever, weaving through the components, highlighting them but not dominating. A dram that is gentle on the palate yet has a tremendous depth of flavour.

Finish

- The finish again shows the balance we are looking for. The smoke, fruit, oak and floral notes melt into each other, and a beautiful creamy texture allows melon, peach and cherry to come through before dwindling into the dry embers of peat in the hearth.


Product Specification


WHISKY TYPE:

HEAVILY PEATED ISLAY SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

Phenol Level:

40 PARTS PER MILLION

Vintage/Age:

2013, 8 AGED YEARS

Alcohol Strength:

50% ALC./VOL

Barley Provenance:

100% ISLAY CONCERTO BARLEY

Maturation Profile:

  • A PARCEL OF CASKS MATURED FOR 7 YEARS IN EX-AMERICAN WHISKEY BARRELS.
  • 25% OF THE PARCEL WAS THEN ACE’D IN FIRST FILL PESSAC-LÉOGNAN FRENCH WINE CASKS BEFORE BEING MARRIED BACK TOGETHER FOR BOTTLING.

Bottling:

BOTTLED UNCHILL-FILTERED AND COLOURING FREE AT BRUICHLADDICH DISTILLERY ON ISLAY