Port Charlotte has added a Syrah cask single malt whisky to its Cask Exploration series. The Port Charlotte SYC:01 expression is the first Syrah-matured whisky in the series, previous releases in which include Marsala, oloroso, Sauternes, and Pomerol cask editions.
Distilled in 2013, the heavily peated spirit for the SYC:01 release was initially matured in first-fill and second-fill bourbon barrels, before a re-casking in Syrah red wine casks in 2018. The whisky was matured in the Syrah casks for four years before a final re-casking in refill bourbon casks to allow the spirit to marry.
Bruichladdich Distillery, which runs Port Charlotte, has a large collection of wine casks, and says it has around 200 different wine varieties in its collection on Islay. The casks for the Syrah release were sourced from a French producer which specialises in organic and biodynamic wines.
Adam Hannett, Bruichladdich Distillery head distiller, commented: “To have a wine cask inventory of this scale and variety is quite extraordinary. 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.”
Tasting notes supplied by the producer highlight caramel, spices, barbecue peat smoke, mango, and candied peel.
In creating its whiskies, Bruichladdich is highly influenced by its Islay home. The Port Charlotte SYC:01 is matured entirely on Islay. Hannett explained: “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.”
Port Charlotte SYC:01 (54.4% ABV) is available via bruichladdich.com or selected specialist whisky retailers at RRP £110.