Port Charlotte - 2011 PAC:01, 56.1% (WB 89.17)

Port Charlotte

Port Charlotte 2011 PAC:01, 56.1% (WB 89.17)

Type : Single malt whisky
Vintage: 2011
Bottled : 2021
Cask : French Red Wine cask finish
Age : 8YO (stated age) / 9YO (calculated age)
Strength : 56.1% vol.
Content : 700ml

Whiskybase: 89.17 pts (79 votes as at 2021.6.4)

A release from the Cask Exploration series, this one has received high praise among the range. Unlike the MRC:01 which explicitly mentioned Mouton casks, this bottling only specifies a Bordeaux Pauillac red wine cask finish.
It was matured for 6 years in Bourbon casks, then finished in Pauillac casks for 2 years (?), before being bottled at 40ppm.

As a standard note, Pauillac is just one region within Bordeaux, home to many famous estates. Wines from the region can range from affordable supermarket bottles up to icons like Lafite and Latour. Therefore, stating 'Pauillac cask' doesn't necessarily imply a cask from a top-tier winery.
However, judging by Port Charlotte's history, the WB scores, and initial tasting notes, the resulting flavour profile is quite well-received and aligned with expectations.

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Official tasting note for reference (extract, full notes are extensive):

Nose:
Lots of fresh, fruit aromas mingle with the dry peat smoke to entice you into the dram, from the oak comes spices - cloves, ginger and cassia, along with chocolate, toasted malt with toffee, brown sugar and delicate coconut and vanilla notes.

Palate:
As the first drop touches your tongue a wave of flavours sweep across the palate, the sweetness from the oak and malt lead, followed by smoke, citrus and dried fruit notes.

Finish:
The peat smoke comes through on the finish with a more medicinal phenol style. Coconut and floral notes waver and a saline marine element combine with the earthy smoke in the classic Port Charlotte style. The softness of the oak and the minerality of the spirit become wrapped in smoke, a familiar signature to this dram.