Origin: Isle of Islay (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 55.3%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry
Chillfiltered: No
Additional coloring: No
Owner: Kilchoman
Average price: € 140.00
Official website: kilchomandistillery.com
Vote: 89/100
Back to the bottlings made for the annual festival on Islay, and we come to Kilchoman, who on 1st of June put on sale at the distillery 1,159 bottles of this edition, made by vatting two barrels ex bourbon and one butt ex sherry from 2011 and 2012 distillations of Pelican quality barley from their fields, thus making it effectively a 100% Islay.
Casks personally chosen by founder Anthony Wills, and bottled at cask strength.
Tasting notes
Very captivating nose, a mouth-watering malt biscuit with slices of pineapple, apricot and candied lemon, hazelnut and red fruit crumble and crème brulée. In the background, pine needles, apple strudel and an iodised streak. The smoke frames the aromas, suspended between grilled fruit and toasted wood, in an elegant and balanced whole.
The palate is oily and full-bodied, in which a touch of ginger and nutmeg introduces malt and a tropical fruit compote with injections of pear and red fruits (blackberries, currants), salted caramel, shortcrust pastry, candied citrus and a faint note of brine. The smoke is always gentle but well present, a fireplace burning in the next room.
Quite long finish of dull coals, grilled fruit, malt, Catalan cream, salty notes and nutmeg.
An excellent representative of what Kilchoman knows how to do with its malt, a relatively young yet mature, balanced whisky, with the casks integrating perfectly and the peat playing its part to create a harmonious and full whole.