Port Charlotte 10 Year First Edition

I've tried three different times now to write my own notes on this bottle, but I've finally given up. Everything I write is essentially the same exact thing Stephanie wrote in her review. The only note I'll add is that it doesn't do very well in a half-empty bottle; the nose becomes very one-note (smoke), and the palate thins just a bit, losing most of the lemon. On first opening though, Stephanie nailed it. At $50-ish a bottle, this is one that will continue to be on my whisky shelf.

Initial medicinal iodine nose mellows to familiar enveloping peaty warmth with malt and caramel hints. Spicy malt develops on the palate followed by sweetness and lighter, creamier flavours. Lingering tastes of fresh nasturtium blossom - slightly peppery with floral hints. Classic Port Charlotte - heaps of smoke, bags of barley.

NOSE: Salt, grass, Oak, medicine, cinnamon, vanilla TASTE: earthy, muddy, grassy, chili chocolate. Nothing particularly special. Similar to Ardbeg 10 but cost more   Water - light Much lighter, more pleasant, mild peat, still salty, grassy

Ahhh, that peat. It definitely dominates the nose and palate, but also features a nice sweetness of honey, brown sugar, and vanilla. A touch of cinnamon in there as well. A good spice on the finish, with a hint of bitter chocolate coming through at the end.

I don't typically like heavy peat, but this is perfection. Unlike some of its older counterparts, the peatiness in this younger vintage doesn't make me feel I'm sitting in a wooden cabin that is afire. Truly lovely.

Beautiful peat spice and iodine with a wonderful complex smoke. It's a shame the age statement has been revoked going forward burn still lookin forward to beautiful whiskies none the less.