Origin: Isle of Islay (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 54.8%ABV
Ageing cask: Ex-Bourbon and ex-Mezcal
Chillfiltered: No
Additional coloring: No
Owner: Kilchoman
Average price: € 110.00
Official website: kilchomandistillery.com
Vote: 86/100
A single cask made exclusively for Kilchoman’s Italian distributor, Beija-Flor, with a decidedly uncommon finishing in an ex-Mezcal cask chosen by the young CEO of the company, joining other similar editions released between 2021 and 2022.
A July 2013 distillate that after almost eight years of maturation in an ex-Bourbon cask went on to age in the ex-Mezcal cask for just over a year, finishing at cask strength in 261 bottles in March 2022.
I admit my total and abysmal ignorance regarding the Mexican distillate, so I pour into the glass without much thought.
Tasting notes
The nose opens on an intense peat that veers decidedly towards sweet, where chocolate, orange marmalade, malt biscuits and Catalan cream reign supreme, together with far-from-pastry notes such as sweet and sour grilled peppers, burnt bacon and roasted peanuts. A mineral and saline vein runs through the aromas, not particularly pronounced and more present in length. The smoke is thick and ashy. Captivating.
On the palate, it has a nice silky and soft texture, with an initial accent of chilli and turmeric that paves the way for a wave of saline sweetness, in which white chocolate, candied pineapple and lemon, and short pastry are found, surrounded by a blanket of smoke mixed between charcoal and asphalt from which vegetable stings peep out, suspended between seaweed and barbecue courgettes. It’s the latter that carry the flavours along, always keeping the smoke high.
Long finish of ash and salt, with the vegetable notes imposing themselves on the sweeter ones, placed in the background, along with spicy and incense hints.
Unusual and prismatic, the finishing seems to have imprinted a very clear signature on the evocations, mingling with Kilchoman’s in a not always harmonious but nonetheless interesting way. A very pleasant and intriguing dram, different but recognisable which may not meet everyone’s taste.