Port Charlotte Islay Barley 2012

Baby Octomore? Nose - Peat and sweet barely dominate the nose. There are notes of youth but the overall profile is very similar to an octomore with a bit more sour and a touch more unrefined alcohol note. Perhaps a wider cut? Taste - The opening is pure smoke, then you get this rich sweet barely, and then dark burnt earth comes out in full force. Sweet smoked light and savory meat turning into a burnt beef brisket all driven by a sweet barely. Damn good. There's a bit more alcohol than perhaps is needed, it's just a touch bitey. This is a wonderful perfectly balanced young heavily peated whisky. About 80 bucks and it's better than the 10. Would I make a regular habit buying it? My first thoughts when I poured it, YES! But the more I go back the more I sadly find myself drinking a good whisky, but there isn't enough here for me to run out and spend 80. I'd rather save up for an octomore or get something a bit older. I'm looking for some fruits or something to add balance to the barely and smoke profile. This is where I think so highly of Ardbeg 10, that lemon lime thing it does creates a layer of depth and complexity needed so badly there (I know some aren't fans). Anyway I'm a solid 2.5 on this one. Clearly above average whisky but the lack of something else is starting to move this down the ranking for me. Oddly I've similarly recently moved Port Charlotte 10 down on my list of great affordable peated whiskies because....well good proof can't be in and of itself the reason to rank whiskies higher or lower when there's more to them.

The reason I put this at a 3.75, based upon my ranking, is because I believe this is the most approachable peated whiskey I've tasted. It’s not half-assed peaty like some coastal highland or phenol forward Campbeltown scotches, it’s straightforward at 40ppm (not as much as Ardbeg, Lagavulin or Laphroig). Light lemon cake batter and toasted peanuts... with a whiff of earthy, peppery barbeque. After a couple glasses a rich velvety texture becomes apparent. This isn't overly ashy, briny or smoky, its real slick, in part due to the 50 ABV, which gives it good grip on the taste buds... Price is a bit high, for a friendly young whisky, but at least its 50% ABV, and if you want to convince a non-smoky scotch lover on the miracles of Islay peated malt, this will give you a strong case. 5.0 - go out and buy all of the stock you can find. 4.0 - must buy at least one bottle before you die. 3.0 - solid, must try at a bar, or mooch from a friend. 2.0 - didn't like it, you may. 1.0 - you may have the palate of my dog, and he licks his own ass.

Open Date = 4-24-2021 Tasting Date = 6-27-2021 Weeks open = 10 weeks Tasting proof = 100 Bottle Fill Level = Quarter bottle. Rating system: 5 = outstanding ; 4.5 = excellent ; 4 = very good ; 3.5 = good ; 3 = above average ; 2.5 = average ; 2 = acceptable ; 1.5 = adequate ; 1 = inferior ; 0.5 = very poor ; 0 = undrinkable You possibly may get what you pay for but you never get what you don't pay for...........Slainte'

Had the Octomore 10.3 recently, and this is pretty much the junior-varsity version — same concept minus the intensity. The peat is the glossy petrol variety, not the marshy or medicinal kind. I also get briny buttered popcorn on the nose and caramel and cotton in the mouth. Overall, then, you’d think the combination tastes like kettle corn, but it doesn’t. Nice mid-length finish rounds out a solid dram for a fair price.

Grassy, maybe a little floral, smoky peat on the nose. The malt is definitely not drowned out by the smoke and instead pairs nicely. Pepper and meaty smoke up front on the taste that fades into a sweet malt at the end. Reminds me a little of Talisker 10 without the salt. Really good. It has the character of the heaviest of peat monsters without the abrasive nature.

Aroma is an intense burst of sweetness that hugs the peaty smoky earthy notes that develops into a “smoked custard” profile as it opens; Palate is warm and fruity as well with an even heavier smoke and saline character; Finish is a muted version of the palate that slowly fades. This is some tasty whisky.