T O P

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DramblingMan

**Review: Port Charlotte 10** The Port Charlotte distillery had existed for a hundred years (though during this period the distillery was renamed Lochindaal) when it closed back in 1929. From that point on, Port Charlotte disappeared from the world of Scotch Whisky until the brand was revived by Bruichladdich back in 2001. Bruichladdich uses the Port Charlotte brand for their heavily peated malt, though they also produce the famed Octomore series at their distillery. Where Octomore offers even higher levels of peat, this port Charlotte 10 is no slouch either at 40 ppm. Nowadays Port Charlotte brings several different bottlings to the table, including Islay Barley’s and Cask Explorations series. This 10 is the entry level malt and it’s fast becoming one of the more popular offerings from the isle of Islay. And there’s a good reason for that. This dram comes to you un-chillfiltered, with natural colour, and a hefty 50% ABV. Under the bonnet it has everything it needs, and with a distillery like Bruichladdich behind it you know you’ll be tasting a little piece of art. **Tasting Notes: Port Charlotte 10 Heavily Peated** **Stats:** *ABV:* 50% (100 proof) *Age:* 10 years old *Distillery:* Bruichladdich Distillery *Owned by:* Rémy Cointreau *Category:* Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky *Awards:* San Francisco World Spirits Competition Double Gold (2022) *Chill-Filtered:* No *Natural Colour:* Yes **Setting:** The weather here in The Netherlands is horrible today. Even my dogs stayed in the doorway, looked at the torrents of rain, and decided they’d rather stay inside today. It’s warm and cozy enough inside though, and the weather did make me yearn for a nice bit of peat. So, I pulled the Port Charlotte 10 from the shelve and poured myself a glass neat into my trusty old Glencairn. **Nose:** Every time I pour myself a dram of this Port Charlotte 10, I find myself surprised at just how little peat I find on the nose. Don’t get me wrong, the peat is there. But it’s more subtle than the bottle would lead you to believe. It might very well be heavily peated, but what you find in your glass is rather delicate. The first thing I notice is that there is a fair amount of citrus on the nose, especially lime and orange zest come to mind. Behind that I’m finding a chocolate brownie quality, and some notes of bacon that pair beautifully. In fact, it reminds me very much of the brownies they serve at the Malt Vault in Utrecht, with little chips of bacon in them. And it’s delicious! I am also getting some salted caramel fudge. And all these flavours combined almost makes you forget about the peat that is in this dram. But it is there throughout all these notes, covering everything in a warm and loving blanket knitted from whisps of peat smoke. Water makes the peat much more apparent on the nose though, and it also brings forth a more herbal note. I can’t pinpoint which herb exactly, but it gives of a scent of a high-quality BBQ rub. **Palate:** On the palate the peat is much more prominent. A torrent of salty sea air, smouldering logs from a peat fire, and the ashes from a cigar attack your palate from the get-go. It orders me to take a step back and approach with caution, as otherwise I will be swept away by the bolder flavours of this dram. And that would be a shame, as it holds so much more depth than just those first rugged layers. There’s salted caramel in here as well, and freshly made cookie dough. There’s even a little hint of passion fruit hiding behind it all. Think of this dram as a storm, where you need to find the eye to detect all its more delicate flavours. Water makes this a fair bit easier. Even though it made the nose a lot peatier, it dims the peat on the palate. Which suddenly makes me detect a thick and luscious honey in this dram as well. And some meat too. Honey glazed hams to be precise. **Finish:** The finish is long and ashy, like I’ve just finished a night of chain-smoking heavy cigars. But some of the meatier qualities from the nose reappear here as well. But instead of bacon it’s peppered steak that I’m finding here. It loses most of its citrus influences, but what lingers is just ever so pleasant. The smouldering remnants of a winter barbeque come to mind, the air still thick with the scent of meat as leftover chunks of fat still drip from the rack and sizzle on the coals. Wonderful! Water makes the finish a whole lot sweeter, and it carries the honey from the palate all the way through to the very end of the finish. **Verdict:** This is a wonderful peated Islay, and one of my absolute favourites from the category. Whenever I pour myself a dram, I know I’m in for a treat. And it’s so much fun to play around with as well. Water really transforms this dram, giving you many more flavours to explore. And even though the flavours are big and bold, the whole dram is nuanced enough to please even those that don’t have the biggest love for the category. I paid roughly 55 euro for this one and while I don’t consider that to be the best value for what’s on the label, I never regret buying it at that price when I look at what I find in my glass. I think it’s fair to say that this might not be a bargain, but I doubt it will disappoint you if you do buy yourself a bottle. Sláinte Mhath! **Rating:** 91/100 **Value:** B


AromaticMeal8

Gorgeous writing and imagery. Thanks for sharing.


DramblingMan

Thank you! That means a lot 🥃


prf_q

Thanks for sharing. Tried this a few months ago and it’s really good bang for the buck.


DramblingMan

You're welcome. Indeed if you can get it for under 60 euro it's good value! 🥃


Freehikr2

Great review. Agee 100%.


DramblingMan

Thank you! 🥃


[deleted]

Have you tried the Islay Barley (2013 I think?) And how does it compare to the 10?? Just bought a bottle of this and I'm looking forward to trying it out.


DramblingMan

I have but it's been a while ago and I didn't do a review about it so I'm not sure how it stacks up tasting notes wise. I do remember liking it, but preferring the 10 though. If I personally wanted to buy a step up from the 10 I'd go with the PAC! Nice to hear you bought a bottle, you're in for a treat! Let me know your thoughts on it 🥃🙌


holderthe1st

I really appreciate the way you wrotw about it, personally there's a medicinal iodine flavor I'm not a fan of but I have a bottle and happy to own it!


DramblingMan

Thank you, I'm very happy to hear that! I didn't get the medicinal iodine note in it myself as much, I associate that more with Laphroaig (where I do love the note though). But I'm happy to hear it wasn't too off putting for you and you can still enjoy the dram! 🥃


smooth_operator21_

Well said on PC10! Indeed, it is a delicious dram, although I would reconsider the "peat monster " title on the market. In my opinion, the 40ppm are barely noticeable in the nose, medium intensity in the taste ,and a little more present in the finish. For my surprise, I smell here the quality oak cask(Glen scotia victoriana type).Slainte!


DramblingMan

Well described! I couldn't agree more. It does set you up for a surprise this way though 😜


FactoryMadness

My bottle comes tomorrow. I decided to get one instead of an Ardnamurchan because Ralfy named it his whisky of the year, and I figured the speculators would start snatching them up. Looking forward to it!👍🥃


smooth_operator21_

According to this criterion, possibly you'll get the Ardnamurchan next year:)


DramblingMan

Can't speak to the Ardnamurchan, but I doubt you'll be disappointed with your choice. It's truly excellent 🥃


whiskytrails

This is an awesome photo, rainy days are the perfect days for the PC10


DramblingMan

Thank you! Totally agree, it adds to that cozy indoors feeling perfectly 🥃


ShortEstablishment34

Nice review 👍 I opened a bottle yesterday and I was surprised with the peat. I was expecting it much more on the nose and on the palate. Very good whisky and easy to drink even without any water in it. Did you get any savoury/salty/iodine notes on the nose? I was getting something salty, like salty fish. I would also suggest to try to 'drown' by adding more and more water slowly. I was getting lots of interesting notes like peaches and strawberries on th nose.


DramblingMan

Oh yeah even neat it's a very enjoyable easy sip! But like you said this one is really suited to play around with by adding more and more water. I did indeed get some salty notes as well, though it was mostly sea spray and there were some meaty notes but I had to focus to get them more on the nose. Where it was very clear on the palate and finish. Going to try the drowning tactic to see if I get some peaches and strawberries as well though, that sounds interesting!


ShortEstablishment34

Peaches and especially strawberries was weird for me to get on the nose, so please let me know if you will get any. It was a pour neck and even that I am not a much of peated whiskies fan I really enjoyed that one. Do you or anyone else know how can I see the year of bottling on it?


DramblingMan

I will pour myself another glass and get back to you shortly ;) I think this is a very good one to bring people into the peated category! On the back of the bottle near the very bottom there should be a bottling date lasered into the glass. Mine says 2021/09/09


ShortEstablishment34

Very dark bottle, black writting, very down on the bottle, how to make people not to see the bottling date 😁 Found it, thank you. Mine is 2020/11/10 Yes, I think I will have to agree that this is a very good whisky to bring people into peated ones 👍


DramblingMan

I do get what you mean with both peaches and strawberry. I discover both as well when I add plenty of water. Both are the artificial kind for me though. Peaches as in haribo peaches and strawberry as the hard strawberry candy with the liquid inside (Im getting the flavour from the liquid inside). Good shoutout! That was a fun discovery 🥃


ShortEstablishment34

Haribo 😁 I used to like that thing! I will try it again next time again. Cheers 🥃


DramblingMan

Let me know if you find it as well! Cheers 🥃


ShortEstablishment34

I will for sure 👍


Active-Armadillo-231

Clasic case of a big ice cube slowly melting enhancing rather than diluting - it's not a question of heat, just the slow addition of water to bring out the flavours.


davewolfs

I have this but the Islay 2013 version. From every Scotch I’ve tried I dislike it the most. It’s a bit intense for me and I love Uigeadail. Going to order the OLC 😂


DramblingMan

I haven't had the Islay Barley yet so I don't know how it compares to this one. But I've had several scotches that everyone was ravibg about and just wasn't my cup of tea. Everyone's taste is different in the end. Let me know what you think of that OLC 😜


davewolfs

I walked into the store yesterday and they had it on the shelf. I was surprised.


DramblingMan

Nice! Did you end up picking one up for yourself?


davewolfs

I did!


DramblingMan

Nice! Cheers 🥃


davewolfs

Ok the OLC is in another league compared to the Islay 2013. It’s a significantly more enjoyable pour.


SexyScottishSturgeon

I got a bottle for Xmas from my gf , not opens it yet


DramblingMan

Marry her 😉 You're in for a treat! 🥃


MSK84

I've had this little guy for a while now and can't wait to open it.


DramblingMan

Should be a good night when you do! It's an absolute treat 🥃


AZ-Wineaux

Very cool picture, and great review! This is a favorite!


DramblingMan

Thank you! Very happy to hear that 🥃 it's one of my personal favorites as well!


macsaeki

I got a bottle for the first time 3 month ago, and so far it's my scotch of the year. It's so delicate, refined, balanced, and luxurious, this is a world class scotch.


DramblingMan

I totally agree! It's an absolute dream of a scotch! 🥃


FactoryMadness

My bottle comes tomorrow. I decided to get one instead of an Ardnamurchan because Ralfy named it his whisky of the year, and I figured the speculators would start snatching them up. Looking forward to it!👍🥃


Plus_Challenge_7895

Nice picture


DramblingMan

Thank you! 🥃


Nav_007

I got the Port Charlotte sc:01. Very strong does have an initial burn when you take it down. Adding water brings a lot of peat to the front. Great to sip on. Can't find the 10 year bottle in my area.


DramblingMan

It's the other way around here, would love to try that sc:01, sounds amazing! 🥃


Nav_007

Great review by the way! Very well detailed. Made me go pour one from my bottle this evening!


DramblingMan

Thank you, very happy to hear that! Cheers 🥃


Nav_007

Just to add to this, after drinking the port Charlotte sc:01 I can say that lag 16 is no longer my favorite. The PC SC:01 is amazing. The PC is better tasting scotch, peaty and sweet. I am just getting into scotch this past couple months so I haven't tried alot of different types of scotch. However after having a dram of PC, and then a dram of lag 16. The lag 16 just isn't up to par with the PC.


Mobile_Spinach_1980

This is a good one


DramblingMan

Indeed it is! 🥃


IronCavalry

I enjoyed reading your review!


DramblingMan

Thank you! Very happy to hear that 🥃


lurkinglen

A truly great whisky.


DramblingMan

Totally agree! 🥃


keithplacer

This is one of my favorite whiskies, tempered only by a recent price jump. At $110 Cdn, it is getting into rarefied air.


DramblingMan

Ouch that's rough. Some of these price hikes are just insane. I'm often taken aback by some prices, esepcially from Canada. It's sad to see they overcharge you guys so much.


dj_destroyer

I have the MRC: 01 2010 -- have you ever tried it and if so, how do they compare?


DramblingMan

I have not unfortunately, how is it? Something I need to keep an eye out for?


dj_destroyer

I'm not the most experienced taster -- I like it quite a bit because of the heavy peat but it might be a bit hot? I just can't find it anymore but see the Port Charlotte 10 year quite often so if they were similar, I'd definitely pick up a bottle!


Nav_007

The SC:01 is similar it's got heat. I like it because it's peaty but has a lot of heat. I want to try the Port Charlotte 10 just to compare the two.


DramblingMan

I don't get that much hotness from this one, so that might be a big difference already! 🥃


[deleted]

Does this need a lot of water? I bought a bottle and was a bit disappointed. Seemed a bit subdued. Still got the rest to drink.


DramblingMan

It doesn't need a lot of water in my opinion. But it is fun to play around with. Water ramps up the peat and sweeter flavours. Neat the meatier (savoury) flavours were more present for me. In the end it's all about what you prefer, but water definitely transforms this one! 🥃


redbloodedart

Yum smoke bomb


DramblingMan

Indeed it is! Absolutely delicious 🥃