Bruichladdich Port Charlotte PC6 Cuairt-Beatha is a big peaty monster of a whisky whose name translates to The Walk Of Life. This 123.2 proof 40PPM bruiser is only 6 years old and was part of a limited 18,000 bottle release by Bruichladdich. If you’re not familiar with the Port Charlotte releases, the number denotes their age. The first release was the PC5.
I’ve had some other Port Charlottes – including a wonderful indie Port Charlotte, the Islay barley and the Bruichladdich Port Charlotte PC10 – and they’ve all been quite good. I’ve never had any qualms with this series and it’s always been a reliably interesting whisky I can turn to and enjoy. Whether you’re new to the whisky world or an old hat who hasn’t explored much, the Port Charlotte series is one that’s definitely worth taking for a whirl.
Bruichladdich Port Charlotte PC6 Info
Region: Islay, Scotland
Distiller: Bruichladdich
Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: ex-Bourbon
Age: 6 Years
ABV: 61.6%
PPM: 40
Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Price: $130
Bruichladdich Port Charlotte PC6 Review
EYE
Honey
NOSE
Peat lumbers out of the glass towing notes of malt, citrus, spice, vanilla and a light biscuity note. There’s an overall sweetness attached to the aroma that balances out the peat in a way that gives it a complexity that’s a bit undefinable, but completely enjoyable.
PALATE
Like the nose, peat rumbles through dragging notes of malt, orchard fruit, spice and vanilla behind it. A light dusting of an alkaline / biscuity note gets kicked up and something like cocoa, but not, keeps popping up and disappearing. That same overall sweetness balances out the palate like it did the nose giving it an undefinable complexity.
FINISH
Long heavy blocks of peat, vanilla, malt and fruit slowly dissolve to a sweet smoky ash.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Well balanced, rich body and a round oily feel.
OVERALL
Bruichladdich Port Charlotte PC6 Cuairt-Beatha is a big heavy whisky that carries a balance and delicacy to it that’s well beyond its short 6 years of aging. It’s a powerful whisky that moves through at rumbling oily pace that’s interesting from its peaty malty beginning to its sweet ashy ending. A fascinating dram that’s worthy of the praise it’s picked up over the years and worth a taste if you get the chance.
SCORE: 87-89/100 (B+, not consumed at home)
