Bruichladdich utilized Syrah casks to complement the iconic smoke flavors of Port Charlotte to help create the SYC:01 single malt
Port Charlotte has unveiled the latest expression in its Cask Exploration series, SYC:01. The new whisky bottling spent significant time in Syrah casks from a winery in the northern Rhône, France.
Bottled at 54.4% ABV and malted to 40 PPM, Port Charlotte SYC:01 features 2013 Port Charlotte spirit that was initially filled into a combination of first fill (75%) and second fill (25%) bourbon barrels. In 2018 the spirit was re-casked into first fill Syrah wine casks. After four years and with the wine influence now at its peak, the spirit was re-casked into refill bourbon to allow the whisky to marry.
Port Charlotte SYC:01 marks the first time the heavily peated Islay spirit has matured in Syrah casks as part of the brand’s Cask Exploration series. A red wine known for its bold and full bodied nature, the cask imparted rich red fruit notes and layers of delicate spice to the final single malt Scotch whisky, complementing Port Charlotte’s signature peat smoke. Bruichladdich Distillery–where Port Charlotte is made–is known for the plethora of wine casks it has on hand, with around 200 different varieties currently under the distillery’s guardianship on Islay.
“To have a wine cask inventory of this scale and variety is quite extraordinary,” says Adam Hannett, Bruichladdich Distillery Head Distiller. “We scour the globe to find the best wines available, and this in turn leads us to the highest quality oak and unparalleled flavour.
“With Port Charlotte SYC:01, the immense influence of the Syrah casks is clear to see. It’s a balancing act to ensure the oak and the peat smoke work in perfect harmony and our versatile Port Charlotte spirit has worked amazingly well with the rich fruits and spice from the cask. The result is a multidimensional single malt whisky and something new and unique for Port Charlotte.”
This time around, the Syrah casks were sourced from a French producer specializing in organic and biodynamic wines. The producer puts soil, land, and climate at the heart of their wine making process, looking to extract as much authentic flavor as possible.
“Our unique positioning on Islay has a profound effect on the flavour of our whiskies,” adds Hannett. “Every single element, from the specific barley varietal used, to the exact cask maturation profile and positioning in our warehouse, plays a part in the final flavour.
“Port Charlotte is a single malt whisky about place. With SYC:01, a subtle salinity is an omniscient reminder of the spirit’s all-island maturation. To marry this Islay spirit with wine casks borne of a similar commitment to land and region, elevates both the flavour and drinking experience.”
The nose delivers rich fruits, intense peat smoke, caramel sweetness, and Syrah-soaked oak. Barbeque peat smoke and smoked oak coat the palate, punctuated with candied peel, fresh mango, and brown sugar. A gentle wave of smoke and Islay Sea air lingers on the finish, with a hint of coconut and cocoa powder bringing a rounded creaminess.
This is the seventh release in the Port Charlotte Cask Exploration series. Previous releases include: Port Charlotte MRC:01 (Pauillac cask maturation), MC:01 (Marsala cask maturation), OLC:01 (Oloroso cask maturation), PAC:01 (Pauillac cask maturation), SC:01 (Sauternes cask maturation) and PMC:01 (Pomerol cask maturation).
Port Charlotte SYC:01 is priced at £110 per bottle and can be purchased at selected specialist whisky retailers. For more information, head over to the brand’s official website.
Last month, Bruichladdich unveiled the latest edition of super heavily peated Octomore whisky series, Octomore 15.
