Review #: 49
Description: Port Charlotte CC:01
Spirit: Scotch
Background: Port Charlotte is the “Heavily Peated” brand from the Islay distillery of Bruichladdich (not to be confused with their “Super Peated” brand, Octomore). CC:01 was distilled in 2007 and aged fully in French Oak Cognac Casks (hence the CC designation). A travel retail exclusive, at cask strength, non-chillfiltered and no color added, let’s see how it tastes.
Distillery – Bruichladdich
Bottler – Bruichladdich
Brand – Port Charlotte
Selection – N/A
ABV – 57.8%
Age – 8 Years
Nose – Sweet peat, lemon zest, sweet barely, a little bit of grape
Taste – Sweet wine, maple sugar, orange peel
Finish – Peat comes in, smoke and oak, baking spices
Score: 8
Would I buy a bottle? Yes
Thoughts: I really enjoyed this one, as the cask influence seemed to work really well with the smoky distillate. When I first opened the bottle, I got nearly no smoke, but as it opened up, the smoke was tamed but really came through in the finish. Sweet, citrusy, and enough oak, this one I think is one of the few travel retail exclusives that is worth it. I got this on sale for around $70, but I think anywhere under $100 would be worth it.