2012 Bruichladdich SC:01 Port Charlotte Heavily Peated Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

"A very smart composition that never loses this terrific natural coastal power." - whiskyfun.com

Released in 2022, SC:01 was the first in the Cask Exploration Series to be made entirely from Islay grown barley, including Concerto, Propino, Publican and Oxbridge varieties peated to 40 ppm. Peat was sourced from Caithness on the mainland instead of Islay, which, according to Bruichladdich, “is thought to produce a softer, barbeque, heathery smoke as opposed to the more medicinal flavours traditionally associated with Islay peat.” Plenty of blending and re-casking took place with this release including x-sherry and x-bourbon matured spirit, all of it finally decanted into first-fill Sauternes casks from various Chateaux. By all reports it's another ripper Port Charlotte, with the peat and wine elements working in tandem. 

Other reviews... Colour: gold. Nose: superbly coastal and fresh, really on sea breezes, lemon juice, medicinal things, rock pools, bandages, wet wool, mercurochrome and beach sand. In fact, parts remind me a little some early 80s Port Ellens with this terrific 'naturally grubby' profile, which this one seems to display more as the peaty side increases with time. With water: oysters, seawater, malt vinegar mixed with brine and also puffer smoke. Mouth: the arrive isn't quite as superb as the nose was, being a little flatter and muddier and more focussed on thick peaty notes, peppery vibes and things like soy sauce, kelp, iodine and camphor. Heavier and with a feeling of fatness and greasiness. All of which I enjoy, but it misses something of the brightness that was on the nose. With water: conversely, I now prefer the palate! Getting much broader, full of impressions of smoked olive oil, charred artichokes, umami seasonings like Maggi, smoked teas and kipper with lemon juice. Finish: very long, hugely tarry, medicinal, getting rather farmy as well with thick peat smoke, tarred rope and anchovy paste. Comments: quite a ride! And one that it worth tacking while armed with a pipette and some water. A very smart composition that never loses this terrific natural coastal power. 87 points - whiskyfun.com

...The palate is a bit of a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde experience, flipping personalities half-way through. First the cordial and sweet doctor, followed by the strong and loud peat monster, before being tamed and reigned again. - dramface.com