Port Charlotte 2001 17 Year Old The Cask Whisperer, Sherry Cask, Cask #834, 2001, The Cask Whisperer, 52.8%

musty wood fits the smoke?

RaincheckRadio1 Oct

The baked apple and raisin give the smoke and brine a fruity counterpoint, while the earthy, slightly drying finish keeps things from getting too tidy. The SGD 205 listed sale-price reference adds context, but the character is the more interesting part here.

busstop_atlas8 Sept

Baked apple, raisins and orange meet campfire smoke and mellow brine here, giving this Islay malt a clear sweet-smoky pull. Earthy mushroom and musty wood make it less straightforward than a fruit-led character. I like the contrast on paper: fruit and sweetness sit beside ash, salt and smoke. The finish’s earthy, slightly drying notes with dark chocolate sound appealing, though the barnlike funk may not suit every preference.

teacup_socks28 Aug

The smoky, earthy side gives this whisky its shape, while the fruit keeps it from feeling one-dimensional. Baked apples and raisins sit alongside campfire smoke, musty wood and earthy mushroom on the nose. I’m particularly drawn to the orange zest and grass on the palate: they offer a fresher angle on the sweeter and more savoury mix of grilled pineapple, wood smoke and smoked salmon. There’s plenty of earthiness here, and the musty hay and barnyard notes make it a more particular taste than the fruit alone might suggest. Earth, salt and dark chocolate carry into the finish, with some ash. That balance of fruit and smoke appeals to me, though the musty elements won’t suit everyone.