Port Charlotte SYC:01 Bruichladdich 10 year old 2013 Single Islay Single Malt Whisky 54,5%

Red Syrah from an organic vineyard in the Northern Rhône, and peat smoke from Islay. On paper it sounds like a clash. Port Charlotte spent ten years teaching the two to get along, and they do it at 54.4% without anyone raising their voice.

Expert description

Port Charlotte SYC:01 10 year 2013 is a heavily peated Islay Single Malt Whisky matured in bourbon and Syrah casks and bottled at 54.4%.

It is the seventh release in Port Charlotte's Cask Exploration Series and the first where Syrah takes the lead. The spirit was distilled at Bruichladdich in 2013 from 100% Scottish barley, malted to 40 ppm. It started out in bourbon casks, 75% first fill and 25% second fill, which gave it vanilla and soft oak to build on.

Then it moved into first fill Syrah casks from an organic and biodynamic winery in the Northern Rhône. Four years there left red berries and spice sitting right on top of the peat. A final year in bourbon casks followed before bottling in 2024.

Non-chill filtered, with no added colour, and reduced with Islay spring water. Everything from barley to bottle happened on the island.

Tasting notes

Nose

Caramel and strawberry first, then red apples and apricot jam. The peat smoke sits just underneath, in no hurry at all.

Palate

Toasted oak and barbecue smoke. Fresh mango and brown sugar follow, with a bit of ginger to keep things awake.

Finish

Long and smoky. Brazil nuts, coconut and cocoa, and right at the end a hint of seaweed.

Specifications

Name: Port Charlotte SYC:01 10 year 2013 Islay Single Malt Whisky
Distillery: Bruichladdich
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Whisky
Age: 10 year
ABV: 54.4%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: 1st fill and 2nd fill bourbon casks, then 1st fill Syrah casks, finally bourbon casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 2013
Bottled: 2024
Edition: Cask Exploration Series SYC:01
EAN no.: 5055807418775

Flavour profile

Peated · Smoky · Berry fruit · Spicy · Wine cask

Did you know?

The name Port Charlotte comes from a distillery in the village of the same name, built in 1829 and closed in 1929. Bruichladdich revived the name for their heavily peated whisky, but the spirit is distilled at Bruichladdich, a few kilometres away.

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Frequently asked questions about Port Charlotte SYC:01 10 year

What does SYC:01 stand for?

SYC stands for Syrah casks, and this is the first release in the Cask Exploration Series matured mainly in Syrah. The casks come from an organic and biodynamic winery in the Northern Rhône and add red berries and spice on top of the peated spirit.

How peaty is Port Charlotte SYC:01?

Very, as the barley is malted to 40 ppm. The smoke does not stand alone though: strawberry, mango and brown sugar take up a lot of room, so it comes across sweeter and fruitier than the number suggests.

Should I add water to Port Charlotte SYC:01?

Try it neat first, then add water a drop at a time. At 54.4% a little water can open up the fruit and take the edge off the alcohol. A tulip-shaped whisky glass holds the aromas best.

What is the Cask Exploration Series?

It is Port Charlotte's range of cask strength releases, where the same heavily peated spirit matures in different types of cask. SYC:01 is number seven and the first with Syrah as the main cask.

What is the difference between Port Charlotte and Bruichladdich?

Both are made at Bruichladdich, but the style differs. Bruichladdich is unpeated, Port Charlotte is heavily peated, and Octomore goes further still. Port Charlotte sits among the smoky Islay Whisky bottlings.

Is Port Charlotte SYC:01 a good gift?

Yes, for someone who likes smoky Islay whisky and is curious about wine casks. It is big on both peat and strength, so for someone just starting out with whisky it is a lot to take in.