Islay, the Scottish island renowned for its bold, peaty whiskies, has once again delivered with two exciting new releases: Port Charlotte SYC:01 and Kilchoman’s 2024 Port Cask Matured Edition. Both whiskies reflect their distilleries' commitments to pushing boundaries while paying homage to traditional methods, resulting in unique expressions that whisky lovers won't want to miss.
Port Charlotte SYC:01: A Syrah Cask Experiment
Image credit: Port Charlotte
Port Charlotte, known for its heavily peated single malts, has added a new expression to its Cask Exploration Series with Port Charlotte SYC:01. This whisky is a bold experiment, having spent its maturation time in Syrah wine casks, a first for the series. The choice of Syrah barrels brings a new dimension to Port Charlotte’s iconic peaty profile, marrying robust red wine notes with the distillery’s signature smoky characteristics.
The 2013 vintage, distilled from 100% Scottish barley and peated to 40 parts per million (PPM), has been exclusively matured on Islay. This gives the whisky a distinct sense of place, shaped by the island’s natural elements. After spending its early years in a combination of first-fill and second-fill bourbon barrels, the whisky was transferred in 2018 to first-fill Syrah casks, where it continued to develop until being bottled at a punchy 54.4% ABV.
On the nose, Port Charlotte SYC:01 opens with a blend of caramel sweetness, strawberries, red apples, and a subtle layer of peat smoke. As the whisky settles, deeper notes of apricot jam and mixed berries emerge, complemented by gentle spices like ginger and honey from the oak.
The palate is where the Syrah cask influence truly shines. Charred oak and elegant BBQ peat smoke coat the mouth, balanced by lighter, sweeter notes of candied peel, mango, and even a playful touch of bubble gum. With a few drops of water, additional layers of lavender, herbal notes, and roasted coffee beans come to the fore, creating a complex and richly textured dram.
The finish is long, with lingering peat smoke, interwoven with creamy elements like toasted Brazil nuts, coconut, and cocoa powder. A subtle hint of dried seaweed lingers on the back end, reminding drinkers of the whisky’s coastal roots.
Port Charlotte SYC:01 is available at £110 per bottle, making it a must-try for whisky enthusiasts eager to explore how wine cask maturation can enhance a heavily peated whisky.
Kilchoman’s 2024 Port Cask Matured
Image credit: Kilchoman
Not to be outdone, Kilchoman has unveiled its 2024 Port Cask Matured Edition, marking the third release in this sought-after series. Unlike many whiskies that are finished in wine or port barrels for just a few months, Kilchoman’s approach is different. The distillery has committed to full-term maturation in ruby port hogsheads, allowing the spirit to fully absorb the rich flavors and nuances from the port-soaked oak over the course of several years.
The 2024 release follows in the footsteps of Kilchoman’s previous Port Cask editions, with some key differences. The first release in 2014 was a younger whisky, matured for just three years. The second edition in 2018 was a blend of three- and four-year-old whiskies. This time, the 2024 edition is a blend of two contrasting ages, the youngest being six years old. It has been matured in refill port casks, which had been previously used for both earlier releases.
Image credit: Kilchoman
On the nose, Kilchoman’s Port Cask Matured delivers an enticing mix of red berries, figs, and citrus, followed by warming notes of cinnamon and smoked paprika. The port casks lend a fruity sweetness, but there's also a delightful interplay with Kilchoman’s signature peat smoke.
The palate is rich and layered, with flavors of cooked strawberries, smoked meats, and sweet tobacco taking center stage. The peat smoke continues to build, adding a touch of charcoal that balances the inherent sweetness from the port casks. It’s a whisky that evolves on the palate, delivering wave after wave of flavor.
Image credit: Kilchoman
The finish is long and warming, with more fruity sweetness emerging alongside the enduring ashy smoke characteristic of Kilchoman’s peated style. The additional age and the use of refill casks have contributed to a more mature and complex whisky compared to previous editions. Kilchoman’s Anthony Wills, the distillery’s founder, expressed his satisfaction with how this edition has turned out, noting that the natural citrus and sweetness of Kilchoman’s spirit works beautifully with the red berries and cinnamon influence of the port casks.
Kilchoman’s 2024 Port Cask Matured Edition, bottled at 50% ABV, will be available across Europe starting this week. For those outside Europe, it’s recommended to contact local stockists to secure a bottle.
A Celebration of Islay’s Innovation
Both Port Charlotte SYC:01 and Kilchoman’s 2024 Port Cask Matured Edition showcase the creativity and innovation that continue to define Islay’s whisky scene. While these distilleries are rooted in tradition, their willingness to experiment with different cask types and maturation techniques has led to the creation of whiskies that push boundaries while retaining their authentic Islay character.
Whether you’re drawn to the bold, wine-influenced profile of Port Charlotte’s Syrah cask or the rich, fruity smoke of Kilchoman’s port cask release, these new whiskies are a testament to the enduring appeal of Islay’s peated single malts. Both are limited editions, so whisky enthusiasts would do well to add them to their collections while they last.
Final Thoughts
These releases are a reminder that the world of whisky is constantly evolving, and the cask choices made by master distillers can significantly shape the final product. Port Charlotte and Kilchoman have taken two different approaches to cask maturation, but both have succeeded in creating whiskies that offer something truly special. Whether you’re a long-time fan of Islay whiskies or someone looking to explore the island’s smoky, bold flavors, these releases are worth seeking out.
About Port Charlotte
Port Charlotte is a distinctive Scotch whisky brand produced by Bruichladdich Distillery, situated on the Isle of Islay off the west coast of Scotland. Named after the village adjacent to the distillery, Port Charlotte whiskies are renowned for their bold and peaty character, reminiscent of Islay's rugged coastal landscape. While Bruichladdich is known for its range of unpeated and lightly peated whiskies, Port Charlotte represents the distillery's exploration of heavily peated expressions.
The Port Charlotte range includes a variety of expressions, each showcasing the depth and complexity that result from the use of heavily peated malted barley during the production process. Port Charlotte whiskies are distilled from 100% Scottish barley, reflecting Bruichladdich's commitment to using locally sourced ingredients. The whiskies are then aged in a combination of ex-bourbon and French wine casks, contributing to their distinctive flavor profile.
One of the flagship expressions in the Port Charlotte range is the Port Charlotte 10 Year Old, a peated single malt whisky aged for a decade in oak casks. This whisky is celebrated for its balance of smoky, earthy peatiness and sweet, fruity notes, along with hints of sea salt and brine. Other expressions in the Port Charlotte lineup include limited-edition releases and special bottlings, offering enthusiasts the opportunity to explore new and unique variations of the Port Charlotte style.
Port Charlotte whiskies are highly regarded among whisky enthusiasts for their bold flavors, complexity, and quality craftsmanship. Whether enjoyed neat, with a splash of water, or in cocktails, Port Charlotte whiskies offer a memorable and rewarding drinking experience, transporting drinkers to the rugged shores of Islay with each sip.
About Kilchoman Distillery
Kilchoman Distillery is a relatively young but highly regarded Islay whisky distillery, situated on the western side of the Isle of Islay in Scotland. Established in 2005, Kilchoman is known for its commitment to traditional whisky production methods, including on-site malting, as well as its dedication to crafting peated single malt whiskies.
Key features of Kilchoman Distillery include its status as one of the few distilleries in Scotland that conducts traditional floor malting on-site. This means that a portion of the barley used in production is malted at the distillery itself, allowing for greater control over the entire whisky-making process. The use of peat in malting contributes to the distinct smoky and peaty flavor profile that is characteristic of Islay whiskies.
Kilchoman produces a variety of expressions, each showcasing the unique characteristics of the distillery's spirit. These expressions include core releases like Kilchoman Machir Bay and Kilchoman Sanaig, as well as limited-edition releases that often highlight specific cask types, maturation periods, or special collaborations. The distillery's commitment to transparency is reflected in its practice of providing detailed information about each bottling, including the cask types and maturation details.
The whiskies from Kilchoman are known for their bold and robust flavors, combining peaty and smoky notes with elements of fruit, sweetness, and maritime influences. The use of a variety of cask types, including bourbon barrels, sherry butts, and wine casks, adds complexity to the final products.
Visitors to Kilchoman Distillery have the opportunity to take guided tours to learn about the whisky-making process, from malting to bottling, and to explore the picturesque surroundings of the distillery. Kilchoman has gained a dedicated following among whisky enthusiasts, and its commitment to traditional methods and innovative expressions has contributed to its reputation as a standout Islay distillery.
