Islay

Port Charlotte 10 Yr Old Heavily Peated

/ / Islay, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Port Charlotte 10 Yr Old Heavily Peated

50% ABV
$68 – $80
Website
Port Charlotte 10 Yr Heavily Peated

What the Distillery Says

This Port Charlotte 10 year old has been conceived, distilled, matured and bottled on Islay alone. We are a young team with deep-rooted values, and an ambition to make the ultimate “Islay” Islay whisky. A whisky made by people not software; a whisky watched over every day of its maturing life by those who made it; a whisky born of a community with a vision and a mission to kick start a single malt whisky revolution, this Port Charlotte 10 year old is who we are. This is where we’re from.

TASTING NOTES
Nose: The smoke is calmed by the marine, ozone character, time has brought a balance, a harmony in the combination of oak, smoke and spirit. While the smoke is always discernible on the nose it is dry, earthy, peatash in its style and so allows the oak to come forward with waves of golden caramel, fudge, vanilla custard, hints of ginger, nutmeg and clove. There is citrus fruit, coaxed from the glass with a drop of water, gentle lemon meringue and clementine. Breathe deeply and the floral aromas of wild thyme, heather and sea pink bring you to this Atlantic coast.
Palate: On the palate there is a noticeable delicacy and softness in texture and style. Again, the balance of flavour is superb as the smoke wraps loosely around the sweetness drawn from deep within the oak. Coconut, vanilla custard, lemon honey combines with smoked oysters and sun baked salty sand.
Finish: The finish is sublime, smoky sure, but also the soft sweetness of fudge and malted barley, orange, mango and Banoffee pie hinting of the depth and quality of the oak. The many layers interchange on each sip. As the smoke comes and goes so too the notes of the spirit, ripe apple and apricot, beautifully intertwined with malt and oak sweetness and that typical Port Charlotte style dry smoke.
Character: Ageing for 10 years on the shores of Loch Indaal has had a profound effect on this spirit. Like sunshine on a winters day, this Port Charlotte 10 brings clarity and lightens the mood, welcoming and brightening the future.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATION
WHISKY TYPE: HEAVILY PEATED ISLAY SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY
PHENOL LEVEL: 40 PARTS PER MILLION
BARLEY PROVENANCE: 100% SCOTTISH BARLEY FROM INVERNESSHIRE REGION
MATURATION PROFILE:
65% 1ST FILL AMERICAN WHISKEY CASKS
10% 2ND FILL AMERICAN WHISKEY CASKS
25% 2ND FILL FRENCH WINE CASKS
BOTTLING: BOTTLED ONSITE WITH ISLAY SPRING WATER, NON CHILL FILTERED & COLOURING FREE
LIQUID COLOUR: PRIMROSE TO CITRINE
TASTE DESCRIPTOR: BARBECUE SMOKINESS, RICH AND SPICY WITH SWEET MALTY NOTES

What Gary Says

Nose:  Boatloads of peat, medicinal notes of iodine, a briny sea mist with smoke and notes of ginger, honey, milk chocolate, and tropical fruits.
Palate:  Sweet start with vanilla, honey, coconut macaroons, chocolate and bits of caramel before sharpening in the mid palate with some pepper bite (and maybe oregano?); peat threaded throughout.
Finish:  Long and lovely, with honey and smokey peat with ocean breeze.
Comments:  This is squarely in the Islay peaty whisky family; which I happen to really enjoy. It takes a bit of water well, smoothing it out a bit without losing any richness. For fans of peat (Laphroaig, Lagavulin), I think you’ll want to seek this out; I’d recommend going out of your way to try it.

Rating: Must Try

Port Charlotte 10 Yr Old Heavily Peated Read More »

Laphroaig Càirdeas Triple Wood Cask Strength

/ / Islay, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Laphroaig Càirdeas Triple Wood Cask Strength
Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

59.5% ABV
$80
Website
Laphroaig Cairdeas Triple Wood Cask Strength
We would like to thank Laphroaig and Multiply for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

Each year, Laphroaig Distillery Manager, John Campbell, crafts a limited edition malt to celebrate friendship (“Càirdeas” in Gaelic). Those who were lucky enough to attend this year’s Fèis Ìle celebrations had the chance to share a dram of this unique whisky, which is one of the most anticipated Laphroaig offerings each year.
This year’s limited release is a triple maturation. First matured in ex-bourbon barrels, the liquid is next saturated with flavor in smaller quarter casks, and finished in European oak casks that previously housed Oloroso sherry, giving the expression a sweet and smooth finish. It is then barrier filtered and bottled at cask strength to create a punchy dram with Laphroaig’s signature richness of flavor and smoky taste.

TASTING NOTES
COLOUR: Burnished Gold.
NOSE: Polished leather and tobacco leaves with spicy lemon and clementine zest. Subtle notes of golden syrup and rich heather honey, with autumn leaves, hazelnuts, vanilla fudge and a touch of white pepper and nutmeg. Dried camomile flowers and a touch of passion fruits.
BODY: Full bodied.
PALATE: Sweet with rich toffee, with dates, maple syrup, praline and crème caramel. Grilled chestnuts with tarte Tatin, marzipan and strong black pepper. Cedar wood, a touch of furniture polish and beeswax.
FINISH: Sweet, long with caramel and spicy buttery fudge.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Peat, iodine, a smokey campfire, old leather, cigar tobacco, citrus spice notes with subtle floral wisps.
Palate:  Rich with caramel, peat, toffee, apricots, figs, a slightly sharp pepper bite with sea salt and allspice.
Finish:  Moderately long, drying with peat, black pepper and dried fruits.
Comments:  I’m a fan of Laphroaig, and this didn’t disappoint. My favorite readily available offering is the 10 yr cask strength, so I couldn’t wait to get this in a side-by-side match up with it. This has more depth on both the nose and palate, with more fruit notes and nuance. I can’t imagine any fans of Laphroaig being disappointed. Like last year’s Cairdeas Fino Cask Finish, they’ve done a nice job of keeping it squarely in the Laphroaig wheelhouse, with just some subtle nudging here and there.

Rating: Stands Out

Laphroaig Càirdeas Triple Wood Cask Strength Read More »

Kilchoman Sanaig

/ / Islay, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Kilchoman Sanaig

46% ABV
$70 – $75
Website
Kilchoman Sanaig

What the Distillery Says

Sanaig, named after an inlet on Islay’s rugged Atlantic cost, is a vatting of Kilchoman matured in both sherry and bourbon barrels. This sherry cask scotch whisky is matured in a high proportion of oloroso barrels (70%), imparting a balance of dried fruits, dark chocolate and rich peat smoke into the spirit.

CASK TYPE: BOURBON & SHERRY
PEAT LEVEL: 50 PARTS PER MILLION

NOSE: Fragrant heather, raisins, pear and orange peel with waves of stoned fruits, mixed spices and rich peat smoke
PALATE: Over ripe plums, red cherries and hints of citrus give way to rich barbeque peat smoke, toffee, oak and dark chocolate
FINISH: Mouth-coating mixed fruit, caramel, cinnamon and clove with layers of brown sugar, spices, peat smoke and lasting sweetness

What Gary Says

Nose:  Peaty with dark fruit notes, raisins, a bit of sherry, lemon meringue, a hint of bbq sauce, smoked meat and fresh hay.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel at the start, tart cherries, raisins, lemon custard, vanilla, honey, sharpening with some pepper spice.
Finish:  Moderately long with vanilla and peat smoke trailing.
Comments:  This was my favorite of the three Kilchoman whiskies included in the Flaviar tasting box. More fruit notes, more depth – still plenty of peat and smoke but they’re not hogging the spotlight. I would really love to try this with more age.

Rating: Stands Out

Kilchoman Sanaig Read More »

Kilchoman Machir Bay

/ / Islay, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Kilchoman Machir Bay

46% ABV
$55 – $63
Website
Kilchoman Machir Bay

What the Distillery Says

Machir Bay, our signature peated single malt, is a vatting of Kilchoman matured in both bourbon and sherry casks. Named after Islay’s most spectacular beach, the high proportion of bourbon barrels create a distinct balance of classic Islay character and fresh floral complexity. It has a vatting of approximately 90% bourbon barrels and 10% oloroso sherry casks.

CASK TYPE: BOURBON & SHERRY
PEAT LEVEL: 50 PARTS PER MILLION

NOSE: Lemon zest, vanilla and distinct coastal influence give way to floral intensity, juicy peaches, pears, and wafts of rich spices
PALATE: Bursts of tropical fruit and dried sultanas, warming smoke and waves of honey, malt, butterscotch and rich sweetness
FINISH: Sherry-soaked fruit, cracked black pepper and sea salt. Long-lasting with layers of citrus sweetness and maritime peat smoke

What Gary Says

Nose:  Peat with some citrus fruit, cantaloupe, lemon peel, cut grass, green wood, earthy with some smoke and a hint of sea air.
Palate:  Starts sweet, berries in vanilla cream, honey, peat rolls in and sharpens with some pepper spice.
Finish:  Moderate in length with gentle spice and peat.
Comments:  In terms of color, this is a very light dram. A bit better balanced than the Sauternes cask finish – a bit less intense with the peat and not quite as sharp. More fruit notes, and a bit less of the sea air.

Rating: Stands Out

Kilchoman Machir Bay Read More »

Kilchoman Sauternes Cask Finish

/ / Islay, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Kilchoman Sauternes Cask Finish
2018 Limited Edition

50% ABV
$95 – $100
Website
Kilchoman Sauternes Cask Finish

What the Distillery Says

Sauternes Cask Finish, a limited edition release of just 30 casks, is on its way around the world, hitting shelves any time from Monday 1st October 2018.

The Sauternes Cask Finish follows a range of wine cask releases we’ve bottled over the previous five years. This latest offering differs in that it was initially matured in ex-bourbon barrels before being transferred into fresh Sauternes hogsheads for five months prior to bottling. This finishing period allows the caramel and vanilla influence of bourbon barrels to be accentuated by the buttery sweetness of the desert wine casks. Meanwhile the classic peat smoke and citrus character of the Kilchoman spirit brings a distinct depth and punch to the whisky, emphasised at the increased strength of 50%.

We have previously favoured full-term maturation for our wine cask releases, bottling fully matured Port, Madeira, Red Wine and Sauternes editions every other year since 2013. The Sauternes Cask Finish approach has arguably provided a more balanced character, combining both the maritime peat smoke and tropical fruit typical of Kilchoman with the softer buttery floral notes characteristic of the Sauternes casks.

As with all recent limited editions, a neck tag details the number of bottles (10,000), casks, ages and cask types used in the vatting; in this case, the Sauternes Cask Finish is a combination of thirty 2012 bourbon barrels married in Sauternes wine casks for five months before bottling.

Anthony Wills Kilchoman Founder and MD, “The full-term wine cask maturations that we’ve released in the past have been hugely successful, but we wanted to show a more measured approach this time around. The five month Sauternes finish has allowed a more subtle sweetness and buttery character to be imparted into the spirit while maintaining the fresh fruit, citrus and vanilla notes so typical in Kilchoman releases.”

What Gary Says

Nose:  BAM! Peat smoke smacks you immediately, earthy, vegetal, a bit of sea air mist with hints of vanilla, caramel, lemon, and some sulfur in the back.
Palate:  Starts off sweet than really warms and sharpens quickly; honey, subtle vanilla, orange cream candies, caramel before a peaty, peppery bite; bit of water delays the sharpening and brings the caramel and orange notes out front a bit more.
Finish:  Moderately long, drying with peat smoke and pepper spice.
Comments:  This was the first Kilchoman in a flight of three I received in a Flaviar tasting box.  I selected the flight as I’d never spent any quality time with Kilchoman, so what better way to learn!  This is definitely a peaty dram, but not in the typical Islay peaty way; I don’t get the iodine or medicinal notes. Quite a cutting, aggressive whiskey; a little unbalanced for my taste. The sauternes finish is hard to pick up.

Rating: Average

Kilchoman Sauternes Cask Finish Read More »