Along with the surprising Laddie Eight, Bruichladdich has released a new Port Charlotte edition to the Travel Retail market to replace the PC12. The new release, Port Charlotte 2007 CC:01 was matured for 8 years, yes, both releases boast the 8, and in French casks that were previously used to mature Cognac, hence the CC in the release name (Cognac Cask).

2.5 years ago, Octomore 6.2 which was matured in Cognac casks was released and I think it’s one of the best Octomores every released. Due to timing, I have a hunch that both Octomore 6.2 and the new Port Charlotte shares the same cask heritage, but is the new and more matured PC as good as the Octomore 6.2?

Bruichladdich Port Charlotte 2007 CC:01 (57.8%, £67.99)

Nose: Dry and fuzzy, peat, sweet wine, butterscotch, sticky toffee, hazelnut, burnt wood smoke (Which reminds me of the PC12).

Palate: Smoke and peat, sharper than the nose hints of, sweet wine, fruitiness, butterscotch, dry, burnt wood and sizzling charred meat.

Finish: Long finish, dry and fizzy, smoke, lingering sweet from cognac and fruit.

Thoughts: Let’s face the truth – you can’t really compare PC to Octomore, they are siblings but the gap between them is large, both in PPM and age. But even so, while I think the Octomore 6.2 is better (according to my personal taste), this new Port Charlotte is very good – It’s a different beast that leans toward the dry and smoky side with a stronger smoke note but is carefully balanced by the Cognac sweetness and fruitiness.

(Official sample provided by Bruichladdich Distillery)