Want Some of Ian's Port Charlotte?

Do you like Port Charlotte?

Of course you do. Which is why you'll probably want to pick up a bottle of Ian Buxton's bottling of his own cask of PC - which he had the foresight to purchase during Bruichladdich's initial offering.

(I actually took this photo of Ian's cask back in May 2006 while I was wandering around the Port Charlotte Warehouse).

Ian decided to share his cask with the world - which yielded about 439 bottles - 400 of which were made available exclusively for sale through Royal Mile Whiskies.

The whisky was distilled on June 12, 2002 and laid down in a refill bourbon cask. Bottled on November 5th 2007.

Remember, remember, the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot...

The notes that I wrote back in October 2006, when I tried the Port Charlotte out of the cask [NOT Ian's cask] (please keep in mind that these notes are for a cask strength version that was likely pushing 65%):

The Port Charlotte has a very interesting nose - the peat is there all right, but a sweet floral perfume quickly takes over - the DNA of Bruichladdich is obvious – bright, floral and briny – proving indisputably that the shape of the still has an astounding effect on the resultant spirit.

The mouth-feel is dense and oily, and the flavors are a tasty mix of dark chocolate (giving way to a more bitter chocolate), sea salt, toffee, stewed fruit, nuts and a definite oak taste.

I believe the final bottling will be worth getting - and I will be interested to see how this matures.

All of the notes I mention above hold true for this 46% bottling - but with the additional delicacy you'd expect from more time in the wood.

The peat is still there, but really doesn't overwhelm - this is not Laphroaig that cracks you across the bridge of the nose. The floral notes I mentioned are still here - but I think the sweetness on the palate has been amplified. Salt everywhere! The finish is long, tingly and is reminiscent of hard citrus candies. For a 5.5 year old whisky, this is some very smooth and refined stuff...

The 50cl bottle is sleek and attractive, and I love the simplicity of the label.

I have bottle 24 of 439 - open and half gone. Approximately 60 bottles remain. Move quick...

£29.99
50 cl bottle
Single Cask bottled at 46% abv
Exclusive to Royal Mile Whiskies

Comments

[Ian Buxton]

What a wonderful article. This man is a saint, genius, scholar and gentleman...he even started drinking this bottle when he could have put it on eBay in six months time and retired on the proceeds!

So, lots of "respect" to Kevin.

[Andrew Webb]

1 bottle ordered online, with extreme prejudice! Thank you Kevin and thank you Ian - damned civilized of both of you, as befits the world of whisky.

[Ian Buxton]

The bottles sold out about a week ago - and, what do you know, immediately appeared on eBay. Someone then paid £71.20 + P&P for a bottle that was available for under £30 only a few days previously.
Strange world...