Bruichladdich – Port Charlotte Islay Barley 2014 (50%)

A 2014 vintage Port Charlotte from Bruichladdich, part of the Islay Barley series. It is made from concerto and propino barley grown on eight farms on the island and peated to 40 PPM. It is bottled at 50%. Most of the whisky, 84%, matured in first-fill bourbon casks. The remainder is split equally between second-fill virgin oak and second-fill Bordeaux wine casks. It is smoky and gently maritime, with fruit and sweetness in balance. The nose has smouldering embers, vanilla cream, flamed lemon peel and a pinch of sea salt. On the palate come pink grapefruit, ripe stone fruit and barbecued tropical fruit with savoury peat smoke. The finish carries oak spice, apricot jam and drying wood smoke.