Distiller Notes
The wind-driven rain that lashes Islay’s fields, and the Atlantic air breathed by the casks as they mature by the shores of Loch Indaal, gives Port Charlotte Islay Barley its signature salty, citrus tang. Absolutely flawless construction and balance. Young, confident, zesty and absolutely delightful, the texture is smooth, succulent and stimulating.
This whisky is a gilded lily color. The nose is totally disarming considering the age of the spirit. It opens with bracken and bluebells, then the warm crisp peat-dried barley with the smokiness drifting sensuously from the glass shadowed by a salt sea breeze. The brilliant aroma of toasted oak sugars combines with the succulent soft fruits from slow distillation. You will find guava, papaya and kiwi with a squeeze of lemon. It’s feisty, it’s fresh, it’s smoky, sweet, minty and marine. On the palate, the warmth of the spirit is impressive, not aggressive. It’s incredible. You have the dryness of the peat smoke together with soft fruits splashed with sea spray, all held in a crunchy basket of caramelized wood sugars sprinkled with lemon and pepper. It is a rare and special experience to taste a spirit that is 100% Islay, but also shining through is the artisanal skill of our distillers who, using the original Victorian equipment, are creating the most exciting single malts in the world today. Parting from a special one is never easy, especially when you have enjoyed their company, lingering with every drop in the glass. Kick back and relax – the aromatics and flavors will stay with you for some time.
Bruichladdich is a small, entrepreneurial distillery located on the remote Scottish island of Islay. Dedicated to the preservation of hand-distillation methods, Bruichladdich takes an approach of nonstop exploration of barley, peat and cask in its creation of diverse and innovative Single Malt whiskies.
Islay is a world-famous whisky destination, home to eight single malt distilleries renowned for Peated Single Malts. Located at the southernmost end of west scotland's hebridean archipelago, Islay enjoys a windswept, oceanic climate and a largely agricultural community, making it perfect for creating single malt whiskies. Built in 1881 by the three Harvey Brothers, Bruichladdich Distillery was the first purpose-built distillery on the island – the most progressive of its time.
Revived from closure in 2001 by two wine merchants, Bruichladdich Distillery has since been committed to the ideas of transparency and 'terroir' in Scotch; concentrating on the provenance of whisky's raw ingredients and the distillery's connection to the land. Sourcing all of its barley directly from Scottish farmers [rather than on the global commodities market], and warehousing and bottling all of its spirit onsite — Bruichladdich has cemented its reputation as a maverick young producer among Islay Distilleries.
Continuing to make whisky the old fashioned way today, Bruichladdich is the largest private employer on the island and provides nearly 100 full time jobs, putting the distillery at the heart of the regeneration of Islay’s small community.
100% conceived, distilled, matured & bottled only on Islay.
“A good gulp of hot Scotch Whisky at bedtime–it’s not very scientific, but it helps!”
Alexander Fleming, Scottish inventor of penicillin, prescribed it as a cure for the common cold. Today Single Malt Scotch Whiskies are prized by enthusiasts and aficionados the world over for their rarity, age and complexity. By definition these must be produced in Scotland from a single distillery and made entirely from malted barley, using a pot still. The appearance, aroma and flavor of a Single Malt Scotch Whisky can vary widely depending on whether it was produced in the Highlands, Lowlands Islands, Speyside, Islay or Campbelltown regions.