Bruichladdich “Re/Define” 18 & Port Charlotte 18 Year Islay Single Malts

You can skip ahead, but you’ll miss a lot of great information along the way!
Shortcuts/Timecodes:
0:00 – Intro
2:04 – Bruich 18 Nosing
3:38 – Bruich 18 Tasting
5:48 – PC 18 Nosing
7:02 – PC 18 Tasting

Back in March 2024 I saw the first of these bottles hitting store shelves here in Texas. Both were aged stated 18 years old, but it was their above average abv’s that really caught my eye.

The Bruichladdich “Re/Define” 18 (according to the bottle) is created to showcase their belief “That Islay whisky should have a sense of place, of terroir that speaks of the land. The barley and water from which it was made, and the human soul that gave it life. This ultra-high provenance single malt whisky is that vision realized.” After the 18 years of maturation in mostly ex-bourbon casks – with a small number of wine casks - it was bottled in a 750ml at 100 proof and retails between $160-$180.

The Port Charlotte 18 is the oldest expression of Port Charlotte Islay Single Malt to date. “Limited to 6,000 bottles, its rich peaty profile celebrates authenticity, provenance, and community. Staying true to the classic vibrancy of the heavily-peated (40PPM) Port Charlotte spirit, this 18-Year-Old expression has been profoundly influenced by its cask maturation profile and the passing of time, resulting in a complex and unforgettable single malt.” It was distilled in 2004 from 100% Scottish mainland barley, and 74% of it was matured in refill sherry casks, and the remaining 26% was in refill French oak wine casks. It came in a 700ml bottle and retails between $190-$220.

As always, thank you for being Patrons! I hope you enjoyed this review, and please remember to drink responsibly. Cheers!