Port Charlotte Islay Barley 2014 – 70cl

Port Charlotte is Bruichladdich's heavily peated Islay malt — and this Islay Barley edition wraps that smoke around barley grown on the island itself.

Made at the Bruichladdich distillery on Loch Indaal, Port Charlotte is peated to a hefty 40ppm, a world away from the unpeated Classic Laddie made in the same stills. This 2014 vintage was distilled from 100% Islay-grown barley and matured for around seven years in oak, then bottled at 50% and unchill-filtered. It's smoke with a sense of place — peat, yes, but built on local cereal and coastal air rather than just brute phenol.

The nose opens on malty digestive biscuit and peat embers, then sweeter notes of vanilla, honey and crème brûlée, before a fruity lift of lemon rind, ripe melon, peach and crisp apple. The palate leads with a citrus tang, then sweet ripe fruit — apricot, peach, melon — delicately wrapped in charred heather and peat smoke. The finish balances stone fruit and toasted oak against Port Charlotte's signature barbecue smokiness, which lingers long after the glass is empty.

At £76.99 this is serious peated Islay with real fruit and structure behind the smoke — worth it if you love the smoky style but want more than a one-note bonfire. A genuinely rewarding dram.

How to Serve

Neat in a tulip glass first. At 50% it takes water well — a small splash tames the smoke and reveals the fruit underneath. Skip the ice.

Where to Drink It

Black Rock in Shoreditch for smoky malts done right. Boisdale for the full Scotch spread. Scarfes Bar at the Rosewood for a fireside evening.

Food Pairings

Cracking with smoked or barbecued meats. It also stands up nicely to a strong washed-rind cheese.