Bruichladdich Port Charlotte Islay Barley 2013

A quintessential Islay Whisky that’s gentle and deep at the same time.

As early as the 18th century, the Harvey family was a big player on the distilling map of the island of Islay, where they owned and operated several distilleries. In 1881, the three Harvey brothers – William, John, and Robert – received an inheritance; can you guess what they spent it on? Obviously, they opened a new state-of-the-art distillery on the island of Islay – Bruichladdich. Today, this producer of 1.5 million liters of the finest Scotch Whisky per year is owned by the French company Remy Cointreau, which totally explains their Wine-based approach that focuses on origin, terroir, traceability, and authenticity.

Port Charlotte Islay Barley expressions represent everything Bruichladdich considers Islay Whisky to be. This 2013 vintage was distilled, matured and bottled on the shores of this special island and it’s made with unique Islay barley, harvested by their 7 farming partners: Hunter Jackson at Cruach, Ian McKerrell at Island farm, Raymond Fletcher at Dunlossit estate, Donald and Andrew Jones at Coull, Mark French at Rockside, Alastair Torrance at Mulindry and Raymond Stewart at Sunderland. The casks were matured for 7 years in ex-American Whisky barrels with 25% finished in 1st fill Pessac-Léognan French Wine casks. Et voilà, you’re immediately hit by a gentle wave of salinity, fruit, light peat smoke and oak. Simply lovely.