Whisky Review/Tasting: Port Charlotte 2nd Edition 10 years 2006

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: Isle of Islay, Scotland.
Type: Isla Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
Distillation and Maturation: Matured in a variety of casks including ex-bourbon, sherry, Tempranillo (Spanish wine), and unspecified French wine casks.
Age Statement: 10 years.
Alcohol by Volume: 50% (100 proof).
Color and Clarity: Not explicitly described, but the bottle is clear.
Bottle Design: Clear bottle with prominent labeling.
Additional Characteristics: Non-chill filtered, non-colored, 40 ppm phenols indicating a strong smoky flavor.

Initial Impressions: Fruity touch at the beginning, followed by deep cherry wine tones, sour dark chocolate, and a smoky, ham-like aroma.
Balance of Flavors: A complex and rounded profile combining fruitiness with dark wine and chocolate notes, enveloped in a smoky, ham-like cloud.
Unique Characteristics: The whisky offers an intense fruitiness with a medicinal smoke kick, old oaky notes, maltiness, a bit of sweetness, dark fruits, wine notes, spiciness, and a slight bitterness from the wood. Notably, vanilla is absent from the flavor profile.
Comparison: While not directly compared to other whiskies, its complex and well-rounded nature with a strong smoky flavor and diverse cask influences suggest it stands out in its category.

Distillery Background: The Bruichladdich distillery faced challenges with age statement whiskies after reopening in 2001. The Port Charlotte 2nd Edition represents a successful effort in building up new stock for age statement whiskies.
Production Notes: The variety of casks used for maturation contributes to the whisky's complexity and depth of flavor.

Islay Whisky: Being an Islay whisky, it carries the region's reputation for producing distinctively peaty and smoky whiskies. The Port Charlotte 2nd Edition is a testament to the rich whisky-making heritage of the Isle of Islay.

"A very complex, well-rounded one, I have to say, good whisky."
The reviewer expresses a strong personal liking for the whisky, although they usually refrain from giving ratings to maintain fairness in their reviews.

Port Charlotte 2nd Edition is a 10-year-old Isla Single Malt Scotch Whisky from the Bruichladdich distillery.
Matured in a mix of ex-bourbon, sherry, Tempranillo, and French wine casks, non-chill filtered, and non-colored.
Features a complex flavor profile with a balance of fruitiness, dark wine, chocolate, and a smoky, ham-like aroma.
The whisky is a product of the distillery's efforts to build up new stock for age statement whiskies after reopening in 2001.
It reflects the rich whisky-making heritage of the Isle of Islay and stands out for its complexity and well-rounded nature.

Peat and Smoke Lovers: Individuals who appreciate a strong smoky flavor with a touch of medicinal peat will likely enjoy this whisky.
Complexity Seekers: Those who seek a complex and nuanced flavor profile, combining fruitiness with dark wine, chocolate, and smoky notes.
Islay Whisky Enthusiasts: Fans of Islay whiskies looking for a representation of the region's characteristic peaty and smoky whiskies with a unique twist from diverse cask maturation.
Experienced Whisky Drinkers: The complexity and depth of flavors make this whisky more suited to experienced drinkers who can appreciate its nuances.