Port Charlotte 2004/2023 18 Year Old

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.

Taste

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.