PORT CHARLOTTE LAUNCHES ITS OLDEST EXPRESSION TO DATE

The Islay based Bruichladdich Distillery, has today announced the launch of its oldest Port Charlotte expression to date.

Port Charlotte 18 Year Old (54.3% ABV) is a heavily peated (40 PPM) single malt Scotch whisky, which was matured in a combination of refill Sherry casks (74%) and refill French oak wine casks (26%).

Port Charlotte 18 Year Old

Named after the eponymous village two miles south of Bruichladdich Distillery, Port Charlotte Islay single malt was first distilled in 2001. Laid down by the founders who resurrected the progressive Hebridean distillery the year prior.

Port Charlotte 18 Year Old, is said to deliver notes of fig, sultanas, raisins, burnt heather and cinder toffee on the nose. Followed by notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, peat infused scones, smoked popcorn, salted caramel, wood spice and soft elegant peat smoke on the palate.

Commenting on the launch, Adam Hannett, Head Distiller, said: “This is a special moment in my career and it’s a privilege to finally share our Port Charlotte 18 Year Old with the world. This is the oldest expression of Port Charlotte we’ve released to date and it’s a real marker in time. It showcases how far the brand has come since its inception in 2001. From uncertainty and the brink of closure, this spirit was laid down in 2004 while Bruichladdich Distillery found its feet, making its release today even more poignant.”

He went on to say: “This is a whisky dedicated to our island and our community. For me, it’s everything an Islay whisky can and should be. So much has evolved and changed on our island while these casks have been quietly maturing in our warehouses, and this 18 Year Old pays homage to our past while looking ahead to the future.”

Port Charlotte 18 Year Old, is now available from the distillery’s online shop and specialist retailers, for a RRP of £175.

 

Posted by Steve Rush

MIDLETON CELEBRATES 40TH ANNIVERSARY WITH COMMEMORATIVE LIMITED EDITION

Irish Distillers, has announced the launch of a special limited-edition release, to mark the 40th anniversary of its Midleton Very Rare brand.

Midleton Very Rare 40th Anniversary Ruby Edition (53.1% ABV) is a blended Irish whiskey, comprised of single pot still and single grain whiskeys - spanning four decades in age, which was finished in a Ruby Port cask.

Midleton Very Rare 40th Anniversary Ruby Edition

This latest release was created to combine liquids originally laid down by each of the revered Midleton Master Distillers, Barry Crockett, Brian Nation and Kevin O’Gorman.

In 1984, Barry Crockett set out to craft the most outstanding Irish whiskey ever made with a passion fuelled by the rich distilling history of Midleton. Blending together the finest raw ingredients, the most advanced techniques and a dedicated team of craftspeople, he unveiled the very first Midleton Very Rare release.

Forty years on, to mark this historic occasion, a selection of three exceptional casks from each of the Master Distillers covering the era of Midleton Very Rare were chosen to create the Midleton Very Rare 40th Anniversary Ruby Edition.

Each of casks, individually filled by each Master Distiller in their respective eras, contained a unique blend of the finest pot still and grain distillates dating back to the early 1980s. Bringing each unique liquid together to create an extraordinary blend, O’Gorman gave the whiskey its final and defining touch by finishing the blend in a Ruby Port cask for nine months.

Commenting on the launch, Kevin O’Gorman, Master Distiller, said: “As we celebrate four decades since the inaugural launch of Midleton Very Rare, we are excited to create yet another milestone in Midleton Distillery’s extraordinary history with the launch of Midleton Very Rare 40th Anniversary Ruby Edition. This exquisite release brings influence from all three Master Distillers and not only helps us to preserve the knowledge of Midleton Distillery’s past Masters but builds on it by evolving the art of distillation and maturation with the addition of the ruby port cask. It has been a privilege to play a part in the creation of this pinnacle of Irish Whiskey and I look forward to continuing to evolve the Midleton Very Rare brand.”

Midleton Very Rare 40th Anniversary Ruby Edition, is now available from select specialist retailers and global travel retail outlets for a RRP of €20,000.

Irish Distillers, has also announced the launch of its latest Midleton Very Rare Vintage bottling. The  2024 release (40% ABV) is a blended Irish whiskey, comprised of single pot still and single grain whiskeys, matured in first fill ex-American oak barrels and a small number of refill ex-American oak barrels. RRP: €240.

Posted by Steve Rush