Port Charlotte 10 years

Score: 67

Port Charlotte 10 is a powerhouse Islay single malt from Bruichladdich, bottled at a bold 50% ABV and aged for a decade in a mix of first-fill and second-fill American oak and French wine casks. It’s heavily peated, but with finesse, offering a nose of warm barley, smoked wood, pineapple, and mineral-rich coastal air. The palate is full and layered, with red fruits, charred oak, and peated barley dancing alongside subtle wine influence and spice. The finish is long and warming, with citrus, matches, and a lingering smoky depth that feels both rugged and refined. Port Charlotte 10 brings a nice wave of alcohol warmth without drinking hot. The medicinal notes really shine on the finish and pair well with the alcohol, giving a pleasant hug on the way down. It’s a banger of a whisky and needs to be on everyone’s shelf at home. Whether you're deep into peat or just starting to explore smoky drams, this one hits that sweet spot between intensity and drinkability.