NEW HEAVILY PEATED, CASK EXPLORATION SPECIAL ‘PORT CHARLOTTE PAC:01 2011’ RELEASED FROM BRUICHLADDICH DISTILLERY

let’s begin

Parma ham, Champagne, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Balsamic vinegar of Modena, and Bordeaux wine have all built a signature status based on regionality, with labels protected by law.

Their pedigree is celebrated with geographical indicators, such as ‘appellation d’origine contrôlée’ (AOCs) that convey the quality of ingredients and the origins of their making.

Under Scotch whisky regulations, the island of Islay is a protected locality for single malts. Whisky must be distilled on Islay in order to bear its name, but the makers of Port Charlotte heavily peated Islay single malt question whether this is enough? With no mention of where the ingredients should come from, or the location of maturation and bottling, a whisky can, in theory, be created in as little as four days and still be called an ‘Islay’ single malt.

In contrast, French vintners have protected the reputation of their national drink for centuries. They have built a system where appellation is strictly controlled and is a source of pride. With the Islay distillery’s philosophy largely inspired by the world of wine, these French values are readily practiced in all Port Charlotte whiskies. Always matured, distilled and bottled on Islay, these single malts ensure the Islay name respects the wealth of work that made the island famous, and that the benefits of their making are shared into the local community.

In this new Cask Exploration edition, Port Charlotte PAC:01 2011 celebrates the convergence of French and Scottish provenance. Scottish barley, trickle distilled in 2011, has matured for a minimum of six years in American oak casks, before spending the remainder of its life in casks which previously
held red wine from the Gironde left bank, north of Bordeaux. Its resultant character is vibrant and full bodied, with an understated balance of barbeque smoke and an abundance of berry notes.

Bottled at 56.1%abv and available globally from April 2021, the Port Charlotte PAC:01 2011 will replace the Port Charlotte OLC:01 2010 within the Port Charlotte range of Islay single malts.

Tags: Bruichladdich Distillerycask explorationheavily peatedport charlotte pac

Greg

My name is Greg, and I’m a brand strategy consultant, writer, speaker, host and judge specialising in premium spirits. My mission is to experience, share and inspire with everything great about whisky, whiskey, gin, beer and fine dining through my writing, my brand building and my whisky tastings.