Whisky Review – Bruichladdich Octomore 10 2nd Edition

June 13, 2018June 13, 2018 whiskytanuki Leave a comment

Bruichladdich Octomore 10 2nd Edition

Region: Islay
ABV: 57.3%
E150: No
Chill-filtered: No
Cask Type: Fresh Bourbon and Grenache Blanc casks

Colour: Light Copper

Nose: Raspberry, acetone, caramel, vanilla, apricot, cherry syrup, ash

Palate: Caramel, salt, peanut, chocolate, vanilla, clove, pepper, oily

Finish: Medium+ finish, cherry syrup, mineral, earthy, pepper, smoke

Score: 86/100

Oldest Octomore? Here it is, aged in first-fill ex-bourbon, and Grenache Blanc cask (probably from Rhone?). I find with Octomore, the ppm count doesn’t really mean much, as the ppm is measured before distillation, and the final product always seem to be a lot less peaty than the number suggests, and it really shows here.

The nose is really rich and oily, full of vanilla, stone fruits, red fruits, and of course, ashy peat. It’s a lot mellower than normal Octomore, but it’s less brash than some of the similarly aged cask strength offerings from Ardbeg, or Caol Ila.
The palate is rather smooth, but not without a kick of alcohol, full of sweet vanilla, caramel, peanuts, chocolate, saltiness and spiciness. The finish lingers with earthy peat smoke, cherry syrup, and peppery spiciness.

I rather enjoyed this, I will judge it like it’s a blind tasting, which the name Octomore doesn’t matter here, a nice bit of complexity despite some rough edges, worth trying a dram. As an Octomore however, I much prefer the more youthful releases.

Bruichladdich Port Charlotte PC10, PC11, PC12.

June 26, 2017October 17, 2017 whiskytanuki Leave a comment

A Trio Review of PC10/11/12

Image Left To Right: PC10/11/12

Bruichladdich Port Charlotte PC10 “TRO NA LINNTEAN”

“It’s the PC10 expression from Bruichladdich powerfully peaty Port Charlotte series of releases. This release also marked 10 years of Allan Logan, who became the youngest distillery manager in Scotland, working with Jim McEwan. This was referenced in this expression’s subtitle, ‘Tro Na Linntean’, which means ‘Through the Generations’. Only 6,000 bottles of PC10 were released.”

Region: Islay
ABV: 59.8%
E150: No
Chill-filtered: No
Cask Type: American Oak Casks

Colour: Gold

Nose: Hay, citrus, walnut, smoke, peat, faint red berries, tar, ethanol.

Palate: Brine, mineral, salt, wood, citrus peel, candied orange, oily, tar, touch of dried figs.

Finish: Medium finish, pepper, ginger, peat, earthy, hay, touch of funk.

Score: 88/100

Bruichladdich Port Charlotte PC11 “EÃ’RNA NA H-ALBA”

“PC11, ‘Eòrna Na h-Alba’ – Scottish Barley – is our homage to the land and people that gave life to this whisky.”

Region: Islay
ABV: 59.5%
E150: No
Chill-filtered: No
Cask Type: Premium Ex-Bourbon + Oloroso Sherry Finish

Colour: Mahogany

Nose: Smoke, sawdust, brine, peat, orange peel, raspberry, sulfur funk, charcoal, honey, ethanol.

Palate: Metallic, medicinal peat, smoke, pepper, oily, funk, cherry.

Finish: Long finish, pepper, ginger, funk, cinnamon, mineral water.

Score: 86/100

Bruichladdich Port Charlotte PC12 “OILEANACH FURACHAIL”

“Adam Hannett has been working alongside Jim McEwan since 2006, watching and learning from the legendary distiller. Adam has a special talent, a perceptive nose and a rare ability to analyse and objectify sensory experience. One day the ultimate responsibility for this precious spirit will rest on his shoulders. Here we acknowledge Adam and his ongoing journey with Jim. “Oileanach furachail”.”

Region: Islay
ABV: 58.7%
E150: No
Chill-filtered: No
Cask Type: N/A

Colour: Amber

Nose: Cherry syrup, menthol, smoke, tangerine, raspberry gummy, oily, sweet herbal note, touch of barbeque sauce, cola.

Palate: Charred wood, barbeque sauce, peat, salt, cola, herbal, lemon peel, nuts.

Finish: Long finish, pepper, cinnamon, wood.

Score: 89/100

Very interesting to do a vertical of these three PCs, you can see the progression coming through.

The PC10 is a very solid, cask strength peated Islay, great deal of complexity.

The PC11 is surprisingly less good to my taste, despite my love for sherry casks.

The PC12 feels the most well-made to me, very rounded throughout, nice balance of peat, costal notes, and red fruits.

Bruichladdich Port Charlotte 2007 CC: 01

June 26, 2017October 17, 2017 whiskytanuki Leave a comment

Bruichladdich Port Charlotte 2007 CC: 01

Region: Islay
ABV: 57.8%
E150: No
Chill-filtered: No
Cask Type: French oak [Quercus robur], ex-Cognac.

Colour: Amber-Gold

Nose: White grape, smoke, brine, seaweed, tangerine, cured meat, apricot, vanilla, ginger, cinnamon, pear.

Palate: Ash, salt, syrupy, pepper, seaweed, mineral, orange peel, grape, smoke, ginger.

Finish: Medium+ finish, pepper, mineral, salt, citrus peel, black tea.

Score: 87/100

The nose and palate is very grape-y, which shows the cask influence quite a bit. Sweet and smoke in harmony, nice seaside notes, with a good kick of spice. Overall rather well made, I am glad I picked up a bottle, cask strength, youthful, interesting cask Port Charlotte always up my alley. Priced very reasonably, I think I paid about $100US for it.