Tasted #330: SMWS 127.44 (Bruichladdich - Port Charlotte)

One of the highlights from the Australian branch of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society this year was the resurrection of the Australian Malt Whisky Tasting Championship back in July, as well as the Fèis Ile Society festival bottling that was served up at the after-party - 127.44: Cantina Mexicana (which I thought was superb at the time). Lo and behold, three months following, this special Society release was made available through all the Society partner bars and also through last month's Australian Outturn.

This year is the second year that SMWS have released a Feis Ile festival bottling, following the success it had with the first release last year. This year's release takes its spirit from Bruichladdich (specifically, their peated Port Charlotte expression denoted by the Society code 127).

The Port Charlotte spirit in Cantina Mexicana was distilled in August 2003 and matured for 12 years in a second fill oloroso sherry butt before being bottled at an astounding 65.9% ABV - resulting in one remarkable Port Charlotte expression.

SMWS 127.44 "Cantina Mexicana" Bruichladdich: Port Charlotte (65.9% ABV, 12yo, One of 588 bottles from a second filled sherry butt, Islay, Scotland, $299AUD)
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A rather special Port Charlotte that is laden with rich maritime and spice notes. This release was a stunner and a truly special Feis Ile bottling from the Society.

Colour: Dark gold with amber tinge

Nose: The nose is rich and earthy, pleasant and powerful. It's filled with light bonfire smoke, dry grass on a Summer day and hints of Charcuterie served with dry raisins.

Palate: The palate is drying, filled with briny salt, sweet cinnamon bun, pineapple pizza and then you are hit with loads of habanero pepper spices. Loads of briny salt and spices on the palate, so much that it left a tingling and drying sensation.

Finish: The finish is exquisite and elegantly long with plenty of pepper spice that remained.

Rating (on my very non-scientific scale): 93/100.

Cheers
Hendy