It is hard to believe that there are Port Charlotte casks out there over twenty years old— it has been such a long time coming and I am so used to seeing the whisky bottled from eight to twelve years old that seeing a two at the start of the age is a bit jarring. Yet here we are!  This is not the first twenty-something Port Charlotte I have reviewed, but it is the first official release I have tried. This special release was created for the Islay Festival in 2024 and features a pretty simple pairing of bourbon and sauternes maturations (nothing like some of the laundry list Port Charlotte releases that have come out of the distillery!)

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Whisky: Port Charlotte 20 Year (2004) Rock’ndaal 3.2 for Feìs Ìle 2024

Country/Region: Scotland/Islay

ABV: 54%

Cask: Bourbon, First Fill Sauternes

Age: 20 Years (Distilled 2003, Bottled 2024)

Notes: Spring pastures, barbecues, and pop rock candies opened the party as more swimming pool chemicals, peppery minerals, and a hint of algae waited further in. Country swimming pools came to mind with peach tea spiked with cinnamon liqueur for the adults and orange cream popsicles for everyone else. Vague hints of cream came together with salt to create musty smoked cheeses and cured meats— a barbecue cheese board appetizer perhaps. Medium-bodied, the flavor profile was much the same with a larger portion of barbecue smoke and pear tart. Fruit and earth balanced over dirty grill grates, a slightly metallic and acrid tinge to orange, watermelon, and a hint of lychee. The finish was dirty with a bit of burnt herbs and grass, dusty red dirt, and grilled fruits.

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Score: 8 (87)

Mental Image: Country Pools and BBQ Pits

Conclusion: Wonderful stuff, this release showcased the future of well-aged Port Charlotte— another Islay icon for the pantheon. The aroma was meticulously balanced between the funky, farmy elements of the spirit, the smoke and earth of the malt, and the sweeter fruitiness of the casks. I have sometimes found these limited releases to be a bit discombobulated as different casks and elements compete for attention and ultimately muddy the experience. This avoided all of those pitfalls and really showcased the depth to be found on mature Port Charlotte. Overall, a good one— I cannot wait for what’s next.