Port Charlotte has today (Tuesday 14 February) launched Port Charlotte Islay Barley 2014, the latest vintage in its island provenance series.
Conceived, distilled, matured and bottled on Islay, this single malt uses barley exclusively grown on the island from eight separate farms.
Located within 15 miles of the distillery, each local farmer undertook the risk of growing in challenging conditions to deliver the barley used for the 2014 vintage, resulting in a Port Charlotte single malt with total traceability and unparalleled provenance.
“Our Port Charlotte Islay Barley expressions encapsulate everything an Islay whisky can and should be, and the latest 2014 vintage is no different,” said Head Distiller, Adam Hannett.
“However, growing on Islay is no mean feat. Our location on Scotland’s rugged west coast and unpredictable weather, coupled with grazing wild geese and deer, means a successful harvest is never a given. But it’s a risk worth taking.
“As well as adding complexity to the character of this single malt, using Islay grown barley goes beyond just the pursuit of flavour.
"This is a whisky which evokes a true sense of place, helps support Islay’s agricultural economy and celebrates our island community.”
From just one farmer in 2004, Bruichladdich Distillery now works with a total of 20 farming partners on Islay - with over 50% of the distillery’s barley grown on the remote Hebridean island.
These farming partnerships not only help to develop new soil-improving practices and encourage crop diversification but support the integral agricultural community.
With a quiet complexity, Port Charlotte Islay Barley 2014 showcases the delicate balance of fruit and smoke which the single malt is renowned for.
Bottled at 50% ABV and peated to 40 PPM, the maturation profile consists of 84% in first fill bourbon casks, 8% in second fill Virgin oak and 8% in second fill Bordeaux wine casks.
The team say that the tasting notes include: malty digestive biscuits and peat embers open on the nose, followed by sweet vanilla and notes of honey, toffee and Crème Brulee.
On the palate, an initial citrus tang is counterbalanced with gentle peat smoke, moving into a medley of apricot, peach and ripe melon. With notes of stoned fruit and toasted oak, the finish is beautifully balanced with a lingering hint of Port Charlotte’s signature barbeque smoke.
Port Charlotte Islay Barley 2014 is priced at £75 and available to purchase now via the Bruichladdich website or at selected specialist whisky retailers.
