Port Charlotte 18 Year Old 2025 Release

The 2025 edition of Port Charlotte 18 Year Old is made from peated Scottish barley(40 PPM). 53% of the whisky was matured in bourbon casks, 31% in second-fill sherry casks, and the remaining 16% has a more complex maturation: after 11 years in sherry casks, it was transferred to French oak casks for 5 years, and finally finished in bourbon casks. It is bottled at a higher ABV of 51.5%, compared to the typical core range whiskies.

Official tasting note:

Nose
Dried fruits are immediate on the nose, with the aroma of figs, sultanas and raisins mingling with sweet smoke and mellow oak. As the whisky breathes, charred oak, tobacco and earthy heather come to the fore, complimenting the delicate sweetness of caramel, toffee and date syrup.

Palate
Luxuriously smooth in texture, dark brown sugar, apricot jam and sweet heather honey coat the palate. This initial sweetness is punctuated by Port Charlotte’s signature peat smoke, with the subtle influence of toasted oak adding depth and complexity. The earthy, barbeque smoke adds a savoury element, beautifully balanced with rich crème brûlée, hazelnut and toasted coconut. A subtle minerality not only nods to the whisky’s all-Islay maturation but adds a hint of salt, cutting through the sweetness.

Finish
Wood spices, smoked leather and a subtle nutty salinity settle on the finish, while the inimitable whisper of Port Charlotte peat smoke lingers.