Description
Bruichladdich Port Charlotte Cask Exploration SYC:01 2013 700ml is a heavily peated Islay single malt from Bruichladdich, distilled in 2013 and bottled at ten years old at 54.4% ABV. It is the seventh release in the Port Charlotte Cask Exploration series and the first to be matured in Syrah wine casks, using 100% Scottish barley peated to 40 PPM.
Buy Bruichladdich Port Charlotte Cask Exploration SYC:01 2013 Online in NZ
The spirit began life in a mix of 75% first-fill and 25% second-fill bourbon barrels. In 2018 it was moved into first-fill Syrah wine casks, where it spent around four years picking up red fruit and colour. It was then returned to refill bourbon casks so the flavours could marry before bottling, and the whole maturation took place on Islay.
Port Charlotte is Bruichladdich’s heavily peated range, created in 2001 and named after the village along the shore of Loch Indaal that was once home to the Lochindaal distillery. The Cask Exploration series takes the familiar 40 PPM spirit and puts it through different cask regimes to show how wood and wine change smoky whisky. SYC stands for Syrah Cask, and this release is bottled without chill filtration or added colour.
Sip it neat, then add a few drops of water, which brings out herbal and honeyed notes. It suits barbecued lamb, smoked cheese or a dark chocolate dessert.
- Heavily peated Islay single malt, 40 PPM
- Ten years old, distilled in 2013
- Bottled at 54.4% ABV, matured with first-fill Syrah casks
Expect caramel, strawberry, red apple and apricot jam on the nose over oak and smoke. The palate brings barbecue-style smoke with candied peel, mango and brown sugar, and the finish carries toasted nuts, cocoa and a hint of dried seaweed.
A good pick for Port Charlotte fans and anyone curious about how red wine casks change a peated Islay malt.
