Bruichladdich Debuts Whisky in Syrah Red Wine Casks
Bruichladdich has aged a peated Port Charlotte whisky in organic and biodynamic Syrah wine casks in its Cask Exploration range. Port Charlotte SYC:01 marks the first time the single malt has been aged in organic and biodynamic Syrah wine casks.
Red wines like Syrah are bold, full-bodied, and impart flavors to spirits with notes of rich red fruit and spices. Bruichladdich Distillery has been engaged in cask exploration and experimentation since it was reopened in 2001, according to its website.
Over the past two decades, the distillery has accumulated casks, encompassing around 200 different wine varieties on Islay.
Bruichladdich Debuts Whisky in Syrah Red Wine Casks
Adam Hannett, head distiller at Bruichladdich Distillery, said: “To have a wine cask inventory of this scale and variety is quite extraordinary. We scour the globe to find the best wines available, leading us to the highest-quality oak and unparalleled flavor.
“With Port Charlotte SYC:01, the immense influence of the Syrah casks is clear to see. It’s a balancing act to ensure the oak and the peat smoke work in perfect harmony. And our versatile Port Charlotte spirit has worked amazingly well with the rich fruits and spice from the cask. The result is a multidimensional single malt whisky and something new and unique for Port Charlotte.”
After being distilled in 2013, the spirit was filled into Bourbon barrels. In 2018, it was re-cached into first-fill Syrah barrels, allowing it to marry with refill Bourbon casks for a further four years.
Hannett continued: “Our unique positioning on Islay has a profound effect on the flavour of our whiskies. Every single element, from the specific barley varietal used to the exact cask maturation profile and positioning in our warehouse, plays a part in the final flavour.
“Port Charlotte is a single malt whisky about place. With SYC:01, a subtle salinity is an omniscient reminder of the spirit’s all-island maturation. To marry this Islay spirit with wine casks borne of a similar commitment to land and region elevates both the flavor and drinking experience.”
According to a report by Spirit Business, there are six other expressions released in this series.
Port Charlotte SYC:01 is the seventh release in the Port Charlotte Cask Exploration series.
Previous releases from the brand include MRC:01 and PAC:01 aged in Pauillac casks, MC:01 matured in Marsala casks, OLC:01 in oloroso Sherry casks, SC:01 in Sauternes casks, and PMC:01 aged in Pomerol casks.
