Origin: Isle of Islay (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 50%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Port
Chillfiltered: No
Additional coloring: No
Owner: Kilchoman
Average price: € 105.00
Official website: kilchomandistillery.com
Vote: 89/100
We go back a few years with one of Kilchoman’s various limited editions dedicated to maturation in ex-wine casks, alongside those in madeira, sauternes and red wine already seen on these pages.
10,000 bottles produced in 2018 from thirty hogshead ex-Ruby Port casks filled in 2014, the year the first version was released, which can still be found in some online shops.
Tasting notes
On the nose, an impression of Far Breton-like sweetness is mixed with notes of fruit and flowers (plums, dried apricots, kumquats, orange blossom), with a hint of earthy, scorched peat and light touches of spice. A moist malt carpet forms the background, with the citrus tones growing in length along with a very subtle mineral and briny vein. Very attractive and rich.
On the palate it’s beautifully pungent, the spices firing buckets of ginger, turmeric and pepper enhancing the earthy aspect of the peat, with the smoky component acting as counterpoint. Creamy and lively, the contribution of dried fruit (blueberry, plum, apricot), citrus, malt biscuits, caramel and liquorice creates a perfect sweet/bitter balance, with a salty impression popping up at times like a memory scratching at the edge of the mind.
Long finish that carries forward the smoky sweetness in dried fruit, caramel, liquorice, spices, citrus and coastal hints.
It’s almost pleonastic to sing the praises of such young yet already structured and full whiskies as Kilchoman’s, I only remember one edition of 100% Islay that left me quite disappointed at the time, but otherwise it’s a feat to find an expression that is less than good. Those who turn their noses up at Port ageing might think again with this rich and balanced expression.