Port Charlotte Whisky Sample 16 Year Old Rock'NDaal 02.2 Feis Ile 2023 Release (30ml, 50%)

Port Charlotte Whisky Sample 16 Year Old Rock'NDaal 02.2 Feis Ile 2023 Release (30ml, 50%)

The Port Charlotte 16 Year Old Rock’Ndaal 02.2 was the "smoky soul" of Bruichladdich’s 2023 Fèis Ìle (Islay Festival) celebration. While the 02.1 release was unpeated, this 02.2 expression is a heavily peated monster that spent 16 years maturing entirely on Islay.

It is a complex "vatted" single malt, meaning it was built from a specific selection of casks—in this case, a mix of refill wine casks and sherry butts.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Heavy, "dank," and wonderfully savory. It opens with burnt caramel and smoked meats (think pancetta or chorizo). The wine influence is immediate, bringing raspberry jam and redcurrants, balanced by the classic PC earthy funk. As it sits, you get notes of leather, tobacco, and a hint of dark chocolate-covered strawberries.

Palate: Thick and oily. The arrival is sweeter than the nose suggests, hitting with honeyed peaches and sultanas. The smoke is integrated and "vegetal"—like roasted eggplant and grilled peppers. Mid-palate, the sherry influence takes the lead with Christmas cake spices, nutmeg, and dark cocoa, while the wine casks provide a refreshing blackberry tartness.

Finish: Long, ashy, and resonant. The smoke turns from vegetal to a drier cigar box and soot profile. It leaves a lingering trail of salted caramel, dried figs, and a tiny prickle of ginger spice.

Why it's special

• The Age Statement: 16-year-old Port Charlotte is rare. Most PC releases are 8–10 years old. Those extra years have mellowed the aggressive 40ppm peat into something much more "velvety" and integrated.

• Refill Wine & Sherry Blend: Bruichladdich are the masters of wine-cask maturation. By using refill casks, they ensured the red wine notes (red berries/tannins) and sherry notes (dried fruits/nuts) harmonize rather than compete for attention.

• The 50% "Laddie" Standard: While many festival bottlings go for extreme cask strengths (58%+), Bruichladdich often bottles at 50% for their festival duo. This ABV is high enough to carry the oils but low enough to remain incredibly drinkable without needing water.