Now, it’s time for  the fourth of the pack: Port Charlotte 2003. Only 180 bottles available for 90€ a pop.

Facts

Port Charlotte 2003 (for Whic Whiskycircle)

Nose

Sweet smoked bacon, dipped in lots of sweet BBQ sauce. Gets a bit spicier with green pepper and vanilla beans. The whole is rounded off by mountain peach and kiwi.

Taste

Strong and warming. A very pleasant balance between hot pepper and sweet nougat. Then limes and vanilla honey come along. The peated smoke is noticeable but not overpowering. In fact, it’s very well integrated. Dark chocolate, candied almonds and walnuts make an appearance at the end.

Finish

Long and warming with a slight dryness. Ash and again dark chocolate.

Overall

Not a classic peat monster, but I have no problem with that. The smoke is very well integrated and enhances the other flavors perfectly. 

Score: 86 / 100

Sample provided by whic.de

The second one is another Bruichladdich, distilled in 2003 and matured in a sherry hogshead. Only 36 bottles available for 110€ a pop.

Facts

Bruichladdich 2003 (for Whic Whiskycircle)

Nose

Hints of sweet malt balanced by the spicy flavor of smoked bacon. Is the smokehouse located near a beach? Seems so, because the smell of sun dried seaweed and sea salt is in the air. Then green apples, honey dew melons, white peaches and some oranges emerge, rounded off by a few green coffee beans.

Taste

Unexpected strong with a brief sweetness, followed by the spiciness of black pepper and ginger. A bit of smoke accompanied by candied citrus peels and a whiff of coffee.

Finish

Medium. Drying with a light sweetness. Lemons, salt and hints of bonfire smoke.

Overall

This is a rich Bruichladdich with a lot of power and intensity. I like it!

Score: 84 / 100

Sample provided by whic.de

The first one is a Bruichladdich, distilled in 2009, matured in a bourbon barrel for 9 years and afterwards bottled at cask strength. Only 48 bottles available for 83€ a pop.

Facts

Bruichladdich 2006 (for Whic Whiskycircle)

Nose

Piles of vanilla, joined by warm white honey and a tang of cinnamon. There is also some dried seaweed in between. Followed by white peach, candied apples and a touch of melons. Something floral in the background – maybe lavender?

Taste

The entrance on the palate is sweet, yet powerful. Warm caramel sauce. Then some pepper corns, ginger and salt, leaving a slight tingling on the tongue. A noticeable sourness of grapefruits comes through towards the end.

Finish

Rather short to medium with a slight sourness. Caramelized mountain peach and a whiff of pepper.

Overall

A well selected bourbon barrel which does not mask the distillery character.

Score: 85 / 100

Sample provided by whic.de

As the name already suggests, this is a range of high strength expressions, all bottled at natural cask strength and without chill filtering.

Facts

Bruichladdich 1991 (Gordon & MacPhail ‘Cask Strength’)

Nose

Fine, fresh and fruity – unexpected but I will take it. A nice combination between vanilla beans dipped in white honey, pineapple candies and all sorts of citrus aromas like lemon zest and freshly pressed lemon juice. Menthol and some floral hints in the background.

Taste

Sweet and relatively smooth. Tropical fruits, peppercorns and a good amount of oak, followed by mint chocolate and bitter nougat.

Finish

Medium and warming. Dry oak, pineapple covered in dark chocolate and a hint of anise.

Overall

Fruity, fresh and pretty straightforward – a rather nice everyday dram.

Score: 82 / 100