Port Charlotte 18 Years (2004/2023)
Sometimes you come across a whisky that immediately captivates you - and sometimes you come across a bottling that makes you wonder. The Port Charlotte 2004/2023, an 18-years Islay representative from the renowned Bruichladdich Distillery, is just such a case.
The panel
Mean 86.0 · spread 2
Value for money 0/5
- Distillery
- Bruichladdich
- Type
- Single Malt
- Region
- Isle of Islay
- Country
- Scotland
- Age
- 18 years
- Strength
- 54.3% ABV
- Character
- peaty
Tasting
Nose
The first whiff is a mixture of the familiar and the irritating. The warm smoke of a campfire rises up, accompanied by a slightly nutty, almost fermented note - walnuts that have lain a little too long? Caramel and malt provide a sweet base, while cereal flavours are reminiscent of freshly ground grain. Then red fruits suddenly appear - not dominant, but as a subtle nuance in the background.
Palate
The first sip - and there it is, the smoke. Voluminous, powerful and yet elegant, not too aggressive, but perfectly interwoven with the structure. Then comes the flavour: intense oak tones that combine with woody berries and a hint of fried bacon. A hint of salt comes through, perhaps a reminiscence of the stormy Islay coast? The cask maturation is clearly evident, but without overwhelming the distillate - with the oak notes clearly gaining the upper hand.
Finish
Long and intense - not a gentle finish, but a real finale. The bitter oak remains dominant, but is offset by a subtle berry note. And then an almost BBQ-like ham note emerges, which combines with the smoke and ensures a savoury, slightly salty finish.
Verdicts
Marcel
This Port Charlotte 2004/2023 is a smoky character with edges and angles, one that doesn’t immediately embrace everyone, but that’s precisely what makes it all the more intriguing. Anyone craving an intense campfire atmosphere paired with a touch of unconventional fruitiness should definitely grab this. A dramatic Islay experience that invites reflection and enjoyment with every note.
Sascha
The Port Charlotte 2004/2023 impresses with its balanced structure between powerful smoke and dominant oak tones, which blend with subtle berry nuances. The complex interplay of spice, malt, and a salty finish reveals a fascinating barrel maturation, though it might remain a bit challenging for lovers of more harmonious Islay whiskies.
What it is worth
We do not yet hold bottle-level auction results — that sits behind Whisky Hunter’s authenticated feed. What follows is the market for Bruichladdich as a whole, which sets the weather for this bottling without pricing it.
Latest mean bid £207 across 668 lots · 2024-08