Port Charlotte Valinch BC:09 Cask #3534

Port Charlotte Valinch BC:09 Cask #3534

Region: Islay

ABV: 56.1%

Price: £85.00 (50cl)

Distilled in 2010 and matured for 14 years in a first fill bourbon cask (cask no. 3534), this distillery valinch was bottled in August 2025. 50 cl. Outturn 322 bottles.

Nose

The nose opens with kelp, rock salt, bonfire smoke, icing sugar, wet peat bog, and hay. Returning to it after air and we find tobacco, tar, limoncello, brown sugar, seaweed, and the slightest hint of sulphur. Thankfully that sulphur notes quickly fades away. The alcohol is in good balance with just a gentle prickle of our noses.

Palate

The palate opens with an upfront hit of peat, followed by peanuts, sea salt, jasmine, and bread. These notes are joined by caramel, icing sugar, and lemon juice on the mid palate. A little white pepper spice appears alongside these on the medium length finish. The mouthfeel is just a touch thin, but it’s a small nitpick and does not overly detract from the dram.

Nose (with water)

Water has slightly diminished the peat on the nose, but it has brought the tar note into sharper focus. It turns more savoury, with cashew nuts and rice crackers. There’s also some orange peel and antiseptic, though we still enjoy it, overall it feels a little simpler with water.

Palate (with water)

With reduction the palate takes on a distinctly floral tinge, with lavender and jasmine. The spice shifts more towards raw ginger and the citrus notes intensify. The mouthfeel has definitely suffered with dilution. The finish remains medium in length, but the sweetness, peat and spice are now joined by a coffee bitterness.

Conclusion

Quite often on these reviews we’ll say that while a dram might not be our favourite other people will find more to enjoy. We’ll change things up here by saying that this aggressively peated young Islay really hits the spot for us allowing us to forgive minor things such as the slightly lacking mouthfeel. We think some will be closer to a 7.5, but for us this is an easy 8.

Score: 8/10

Value

Given the 500ml bottle you’d be forgiven for thinking this is a little too pricey, but compared to other bottles you’d can pickup while visiting Islay this is actually a bargain.

• 10 - Perfection. One in a million
• 9 - Outstanding. Exceptional whisky.
• 8 - Great. Would seek this out.
• 7 - Good. Quality whisky.
• 6 - Above average. Happy to have a dram.
• 5 - Average. Drinkable whisky.
• 4 - Below average. Passable.
• 3 - Flawed. Noticeable negatives.
• 2 - Defective. Significant faults.
• 1 - Offensive. Pour it out.

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