Port Charlotte is no stranger to this blog: there’s been both the visit to the distillery (Bruichladdich) in the Islay trip and the sampling of the old PC range that showcased the effect of increasing age, but still in the single digits. Today we take a sip of the childhood (10yo), teen years (15yo), and finally adulthood (well… 18yo) of this iconic Islay malt.
Port Charlotte 10yo 50%
Heavily peated Islay single malt. Retails for around €50. Bottle-kill tasting.
For today’s tasting, the 10yo will set the reference point.
Obviously, a maritime and heavily peated nose. Salty seawater, delicious dried seaweed, smoked fish, tar, a bit of sulphur and rubber. But also yellow fruits like peaches and apricots, lemon curd, toasted almonds and cereals .
Delicious to sip, but I can tell it’s about time to finish off this bottle; less punchy than I remember it. Very briney and savoury. That seaweed / nori note comes through, as do charred lemons, stone fruits. Very long finish, leaving a savoury and ashy taste.
This is, in my opinion, the best standard Islay whisky one can get! This bottle is the second one I finish, and I have two more in the stash. I tend to wait until a see an offer for €45 to restock.
Personal favourite ❤️ Great Value ⭐
Port Charlotte 15yo (2001) 50%
Private Cask Martine Nouet
Heavily peated Islay single malt. 1st fill bourbon cask. Integrity bottling. Tasting from 2cl sample.
The nose is more closed than the 10yo, but this is maybe more to do with aeration than anything. I perceive it as brighter (throw in some apples, and more lemon and vanilla), and less maritime and peaty. Overall rather more integrated, as one might expect.
Also savoury, salty and briny on the tongue, but with more fresh fruits and pastry (apple pie) and definitely honey. That said, the peat remains strong, and there is also a farmy quality (animal shed, ripe cheese).
I would say a more balanced and precise than the 10yo (though there’s nothing wrong with the 10yo), while also just slightly different, with the added brightness.
Personal favourite ❤️
Port Charlotte 18yo 54.3%
Heavily peated Islay single malt. 74% refill sherry, 26% refill French Oak Wine cask. Sold out; retailed around €200. Tasting from 5cl sample bottle.
The longer interaction with seasoned wood is clearly noticeable. The same DNA as the 10yo, but I’m getting more cured meats and dried fruits, more oak spices, and old musty cigar-room. And mushroom hunting in the woods among sappy pines…
Like all the PCs, very drinkable despite the high ABV and flavour intensity. Compared to the 10yo we get more sweetness and roundedness, and leather and cigar notes. A bit more sulphur as well, but still as a positive contribution. A little mint detectable. Again a long, savoury and ashy finish.
Well balanced as delicious. It is a step up from the 10yo in terms of balance and complexity, but not to the point of justifying nearly 4x the price. Still, as a special treat I enjoy this very much.
Personal favourite ❤️
DuckDrams 
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