Kilchoman Machir Bay Cask Strength 2025 Edition

 

 

 

58,1°

Distillery : Kilchoman - Islay 

Bourbon and Sherry Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 50 ppm

 

 

 

It had been three years since the last Machir Bay Cask Strength. We’d had four annual releases between 2019 and 2022, and then it stopped. To be honest, I didn’t expect to see another Machir Bay Cask Strength. That bottling hadn’t gone down very well; I wasn’t a big fan of it myself. But they brought it back last year, and I must say that curiosity got the better of me, so I tried it and then bought a bottle. It’s stated that the recipe is the same as for the original Machir Bay, but I find that in this one, there’s a bit more sherry than usual. Another detail: it’s noted on Whiskybase that it was bottled on 9 October 2025, except that I tasted it for the first time at the end of September that same year at Whisky Live Paris. I wondered if I might have tasted a Machir Bay Cask Strength from a different year, but the bottle design is new for this one, and it doesn’t look like the other Machir Bay Cask Strengths. Furthermore, the code 25/95 is laser-engraved on the base of the bottle, which means it is Batch 95 from the year 2025. Now, I noticed that another bottling, this one to be precise, was bottled on 29 September 2025, and the code on the base of the bottle is 25/97. We can therefore deduce that the actual bottling of the Kilchoman Machir Bay Cask Strength 2025 took place around 20 September. Wait! I ALSO tasted the Kilchoman 11 Year Old Sherry Cask at Whisky Live Paris! On 29 September 2025, to be precise. And there too, the bottle design was all ready, I still have the photos. Why are they talking nonsense about the bottling dates?

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Peat with a deep, mineral, thick and maritime character. It is heavy and almost metallic, with a slight Sherry influence. Sea spray, kelp and iodine. Grainy, suffocating smoke, pulpy fruit, quinces and white grapes. Runny caramel, Liège waffles, limestone and gypsum. A medicinal touch, ether. On the palate, it is a little bit young but robust, seawater, lemon zest, vanilla flan, Comice pears, followed by powerful spices, clove, cumin, black pepper. A long, devastating finish, granitic, smoky, malty, caramelised, white currants, dry peat, sleet, various seaweeds. Very slight woody bitterness.

 

In Short, 

To be honest, it’s much better than previous vintages. There’s a bit more sherry, which masks the youthfulness of the product, and the briny, mineral character is particularly pronounced. I think the price is fair, which is why I’ve bought a bottle myself, and I urge any fan of this style to do the same, I think you’d be pleasantly surprised. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                    To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           OK Goodnight - Spiral

Kilchoman 2015 Single Cask Release Collection Itinéraires Part 1 10 yo

 

 

 

54,1°

Distillery : Kilchoman - Islay 

1st Fill Pedro Ximénez Hogshead 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 50 ppm

 

 

 

On the occasion of Whisky Live Paris 2025, Kilchoman launched two bottlings designed to be included in the Collection Itinéraires as part of a priority sale in France. The first is this one, the product of a 1st Fill Pedro Ximénez Hogshead, in which the precious liquid stayed for ten years, 1 month and ten days, which yeldied 318 bottles. The design on the label pays homage to the Sleeping Giant, a rock formation of three cliffs, on the Atlantic Coast of Islay. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The sherry is very intense and sweeps all before it, salted butter caramel, dried apricots and dates, raspberry coulis, dragon fruit, smoke rich with soot and earth, fresh truffles, a hint of exotic fruit, and a touch of citrus. On the palate, the same profile emerges, notes of blood oranges, blackberry and redcurrant jam, dark tobacco, thick, mossy and herbaceous peat, powerful spices, cloves, nutmeg, black pepper. The finish is long and full-bodied, dried banana, burnt rubber, hot tarmac, cherry clafoutis, subtle cereal notes, heather honey.

 

In Short, 

This is a typical sherry cask whisky, with a very pronounced peaty character, where the distillery’s distinctive profile is somewhat lost, but it’s very well made and intense. You have to like sherry, of course, but otherwise there’s nothing to complain about, except perhaps the price, which is a bit high for what it is.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                  To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            Spurv - Som Skyer

Kilchoman 2006 Single Cask Release Collection Itinéraires Part 2 18 yo

 

 

 

48,1°

Distillery : Kilchoman - Islay 

Refill Bourbon Barrel

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 50 ppm

 

 

 

On the occasion of Whisky Live Paris 2025, Kilchoman launched two bottlings designed to be included in the Collection Itinéraires as part of a priority sale in France. The second is this one, the product of a Refill Bourbon Barrel that held the precious liquid for 18 years, 6 months and 24 days, yielding 161 bottles. Until 2007, the distillery used peated barley sourced from Port Ellen, before growing its own barley. This release is therefore special in that it was made using barley sourced from elsewhere. The design on the label pays homage to Kilnave Chapel, a ruin located a few kilometres north of the distillery on Islay, near Loch Gruinart. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Woody and grainy peat, a hint of slightly medicinal iodine, where ether blends with the sea breeze, a mineral character with limestone and quartz, and grassy herbs. The influence of the Bourbon brings a delicate fruitiness, hazy citrus, and a few floral notes. An evanescent palate, where wisps of peat settle over grapefruit pulp, milky vanilla and coconut. It is chiselled, coastal, rocky, and the spices are also present. A very good finish, long and powerful, on sage and aniseed, egg custard, rice pudding, slate and cut hay, gravel, dried peat.

 

In Short, 

In my opinion, this is an excellent Kilchoman, one of the best. The alcohol content isn’t particularly high, and it’s perfectly integrated. The distillery’s character is intense, and the finish is perfectly balanced. It feels as though you’re on Islay on a slightly rainy spring day. The only downside is the relatively high price, which dampens the enthusiasm somewhat.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           I Häxa - The Well

Kilchoman 2011 Single Cask Release Distillery Exclusive 13 yo

 

 

 

51,4°

Distillery : Kilchoman - Islay

Bourbon Cask

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 50 ppm 

 

 

 

This one is a 13-year, 9-month and 11-day-old single cask, matured in a Bourbon cask, intended solely for sale at the distillery shop. It’s surprising that they thought to take a bottle back to France to let people try it, given that only those who made the trip to the distillery could buy it. But it’s a nice gesture on their part. 240 bottles have been released for sale. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Fluffy vanilla, whipped egg whites, a burst of citrus, and powerful mineral and chalky notes. The peat isn’t very strong, but it’s still very much present, sooty smoke, a sea breeze, crystalline iodine. On the palate, it is honeyed, slices of lemon and crème brûlée, a few subtle fruits, and a good layer of peat, with well-controlled spices. A long and explosive finish, shortbread biscuits, coarse sea salt, dates and raisins, bananas, almond milk. Fairly clear wisps of smoke. 

 

In Short, 

A fine Kilchoman, typically matured in Bourbon casks, with a not-too-strong peatiness, it’s dangerously appealing. This is what they should be doing more often, straightforward maturation that allows the power of the spirit to shine through, a Single Cask that reveals all its complexity, and sufficient age to give it body. The only slight drawback: the price, a bit steep for what it is. The only reason to resist buying it. Oh no, there’s another one: you have to travel 1,350 km to get your hands on a bottle! 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                             The Sugarcubes - Deus

Kilchoman 2009 20th Anniversary Cask Series 15 yo

 

 

 

52,7°

Distillery : Kilchoman - Islay

Ex-Oloroso Sherry Butts 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 50 ppm 

 

 

 

The second bottling released to celebrate the distillery’s 20th anniversary is this one, a 15-year-old whisky matured entirely in ex-Oloroso sherry butts. Five casks in total, yielding a total of 3,153 bottles. Anthony Wills, the distillery’s founder, selected 20 casks and divided them across four different expressions, each emblematic of the brand. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is very dense, with powerful, earthy, mineral peat, slightly woody, whilst the sherry notes bring out cherries, blueberries and blackcurrants. Amarena cherries, red fruit tart, assorted redcurrants, dates and raisins, cocoa powder, a hint of rancio, barbecue sauce, cinnamon, fried bacon, intense charcoal. The palate is creamy yet earthy, root-like peat, sticky chocolate and caramel, candied red berries, wood varnish, rich spices. The finish is long and violent, fruit paste, hazelnut custard, leather, damp bark, a pinch of sea salt, dried seaweed, freshly extinguished ashes. Mint leaf. 

 

In Short, 

It has to be said that the cask takes up a lot of space. This is a lovely, full-bodied and intense sherry, with a variety of flavours. It’s best suited to those who appreciate this style, but it’s very well made, with the alcohol perfectly integrated. The price is unfortunately high, but everyone is entitled to their little indulgences. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            Echoberyl - Morgana

Kilchoman 2011 20th Anniversary Casks Series 100% Islay Casks 14 yo

 

 

 

55°

Distillery : Kilchoman - Islay

1st Fill Ex-Oloroso Sherry Butts

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 20 ppm

 

 

 

On 14 December 2005, the first Kilchoman cask was filled. To mark the 20th anniversary of this great day, Anthony Wills, the distillery’s owner and founder, decided to open 20 casks and create four different bottlings, five casks per bottling. This is one of the four, distilled on 24 March 2011 and bottled on 21 April 2025, giving it exactly 14 years in the cask. There are 5 ex-Oloroso sherry butts, resulting in a total of 3,145 bottles. All stages of production took place on Islay, which is why the peat level is slightly lower than usual. Nowhere does it state that the whisky is cask strength, so I’m assuming it isn’t, though I can’t say for certain. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Hazy, fresh, spicy and fruity sherry, barbecue smoke with a good layer of soot, dried fruit, raisins, dates, figs, apricots, crushed nuts, a strong whiff of iodine, baked apples, cinnamon, damp leather, smoked ham and strawberry jam. It becomes more vegetal and herbal after a while. Tobacco leaves, very discreet cereals. On the palate, fresh fruit, damson plums, some red berries, white peaches, blood oranges. A clump of dried, dusty peat. Lingering spices, acacia honey. FFairly long and powerful finish, though not overwhelmingly so, charcoal, chocolate, coffee, grilled meat, liquorice. Caramel and blackberries, a pinch of salt. 

 

In Short, 

It’s really very good, neither the sherry nor the peat is overly pronounced, leaving room for a variety of flavours and fruits rarely found in a peated whisky. It’s complex and deep, but eventually quite easy to drink. The only issue is the price, it’s sold at the price of an 18-year-old, which isn’t great value. 

Score : 88

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            Anne Bloom - The Saddest Smile

Kilchoman 2013 100% Islay Sherry Cask Matured 11 yo

 

 

 

50°

Distillery : Kilchoman - Islay 

Ex-Oloroso Sherry Butts 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured 

Peated around 20 ppm

 

 

 

The distillery is starting to release more and more 100% Islay bottlings, which is a rather good sign, they are becoming increasingly self-sufficient. Here, we have a blend of 16 casks, all ex-Oloroso sherry butts, which have been aged for at least 11 years, the distillation dates span three years, 2011, 2012 and 2013. The peat level is low, as is typical of 100% Islay whiskies. The number of bottles is not specified, but it must be over 10,000. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The sherry is not particularly powerful, but rather light and airy, orange peel, dried fruit, raisins, figs, brandied cherries, dates. Varnished wood, blackberry tart, delicate smoky notes full of soot, melting caramel, Aosta ham, leather, a whiff of sea salt and citrus. On the palate, damson plums, but also coffee, dark chocolate, dark tobacco, a few cereals, and various spices, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon. A fairly long finish, but not overly intense, candied ginger, citrus zest, charcoal, shellfish, a pinch of salt, damp wood, pine needles. 

 

In Short, 

I’ll be honest, it’s nothing to write home about. It lacks punch and, consequently, character – light peat, light sherry, a rather mild finish – and this isn’t made up for by any real complexity. It’s still a decent whisky, but I prefer the Loch Gorm, which I think is cheaper.

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            The Telescopes - White Noise

Kilchoman 2015 100% Islay 15th Edition 9 yo

 

 

 

50°

Distillery : Kilchoman - Islay

Ex-Bourbon Barrels

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 20 ppm

 

 

 

Every year since 2011, the distillery has released this 100% Islay edition, produced entirely on the island, as its name suggests. The peat level is lower than usual, and the age is generally 9 years. Here, we have a release made with Concerto and Publican barley, harvested, processed and malted in 2014 and 2015 at Rockside Farm, and matured in 54 ex-bourbon barrels. The batch was opened in 2025 and filled a whopping 13,000 bottles. I’m surprised that the whisky was distilled in 2015, as less than five months to prepare the barley for distillation seems rather short to me.  

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It is light, very cereal-like, a whiff of iodine, rice cake and vanilla, cut hay, toasted wheat, roasted corn. Oak bark, a fleeting hint of smoke, melted butter, dried herbs. A touch of white peaches and bananas. Mineral and salty notes, a zest of lemon. On the palate, it is creamy, bursting with fruit, mirabelle plums, vanilla, grapefruit, yellow apples. White chocolate, salted butter caramel, and of course a layer of earthy and damp peat, prominent spices, cloves, nutmeg, ginger. A fairly long finish, full of peat, crushed hazelnuts, thick honey, shortbread biscuits, reeds and pepper, cigarette ash.

 

In Short, 

It strikes me as a success, the peat is a little more subtle, yet still very much present, giving way to fruit and cereal notes. The distillate seems purer, but also less assertive. I’ve never been a big fan of this range, but I must admit it’s getting better and better crafted. The price seems very high to me, producing whisky using traditional methods is expensive. 

Score : 86

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            uncady - Red Line, Blue Line

Kilchoman 2007 Single Cask Release Selected by and Bottled for Bresser & Timmer 9 yo

 

 

 

56,2°

Distillery : Kilchoman - Islay

Bourbon Barrel

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2016

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 50 ppm

 

 

 

Bresser & Timmer is a Dutch online retailer and importer of cognac, whisky and other spirits, which opened in 1993. It was in their honour and for their exclusivity that Kilchoman released this bottling, a 9-year-old Single Cask, which was old at the time for this distillery, of which only 246 were made.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Swampy, sticky, oily peat. Fairly light white fruits, grapes, plums, redcurrants, soot, medicinal touch. Ether, gasoline, almonds, thick smoke. On the palate, it lacks complexity, but is powerful, limpid, smooth, rosewater, Turkish delight, explosive spices, white pepper, cloves, cumin, lychees. The finish is quite long and abrasive, mineral, limestone and quartz, half-melted icing sugar, sugar blossom, nougatine burnt with a blowtorch, cat's tongue biscuits dipped in orgeat syrup. Zest of lemon. White chocolate.

 

In Short, 

The liquid must have been in the sample for 9 years, so it's possible that the quality has suffered. But to be honest, I found it too little complex, even light, especially on the palate. This is a big difference from today's bottlings, which I find much better. This distillery has come a long way.

Score : 86

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Liv Kristine - Amor Vincit Omnia

Kilchoman Sanaig Cask Strength

 

 

 

57,8°

Distillery : Kilchoman - Islay

70% Oloroso Sherry Casks and 30% Bourbon Barrels

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 50 ppm

 

 

 

There have been several editions of Machir Bay Cask Strength, and so far they have been relatively successful. So it was obvious that the distillery's second Core Range expression would also be given a Cask Strength edition. This has now been done, and there may be other editions in the years to come. Sanaig was launched in 2016, and is a whisky aged mainly in Oloroso Sherry casks for around 5 years. Nothing changes for the Cask Strength version, except that the colour of the product is very dark, the Sherry casks are supplied by the José y Miguel Martín Bodega, and apparently the most colour-active ones have been chosen.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Intense, deep, heady sherry. Raspberry crumble, cinnamon. Thick, hazy, brutal smoke. Charcoal that scrapes, soot, fuel oil. Iodised notes, sea breeze. A few walnuts, redcurrant juice. Mineral freshness, limestone, quartz. Blueberries, lapping mud, half-flooded peat bog. On the palate, more piles of peat, lively spices, cumin, cloves, baked apples, cranberry jam. Very powerful finish, charcoal, tar, stalactites, salt crystals, dark chocolate, unrefined coffee. Acrid humidity, drops of caramel, a vegetal touch, elderberry. Hazelnut.

 

In Short, 

In my opinion, it's far superior to the Sanaig, they've certainly selected the best casks for this edition, and you can feel it. Despite the product's youth, the flavours are well-balanced and expressive. It's a success, and I'd recommend buying it, the price is more or less right.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Etran de l'Aïr - Amidinine

Kilchoman 2006 20th Anniversary Cask Series 18 yo

 

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Kilchoman - Islay

Bourbon Barrels

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured 

Peated around 50 ppm 

 

 

 

The first cask of whisky was filled on 15 December 2005 at Kilchoman. Therefore, it is truly exceptional to have a vintage expression from 2006. This is a blend of five casks, all Bourbon Barrels. And it's the first Kilchoman this old, it's 18 years old, the age of maturity. To celebrate the distillery's 20th anniversary, four bottlings were released, this one being the oldest. 1209 bottles went on sale, and it's almost sold out everywhere as I speak. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It's both pastry-like and very smoky, egg custard, a full ashtray, lemon and yellow plums. Mountain honey left in a chimney full of soot. Candied banana, pineapple, a drop of papaya. Mineral notes, stalactite, subterranean humidity, gravel. Litchi, vanilla flower, jasmine. On the palate, it's delicate, silky, floral, white fruit, then the spices rise, cumin, cloves, nutmeg. The peat returns in the finish, quite thick and chalky, it takes time to develop, redcurrants, tiger balm, pork fat, rind, small bacon, with cranberries, coloured berries. A little touch of iodine.

 

In Short, 

It's a real success, with everything nuanced and expressive exactly as it should be. It's really a high-flying bottling that deserves our full attention. It's a journey from the start to the finish. What a shame it's so expensive.

Score : 89 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           The Fynches - Heavy

Kilchoman 13 yo Limited Edition

 

 

 

50°

Distillery : Kilchoman - Islay 

70% Bourbon Barrels, 20% Bourbon Octaves and 10% Calvados Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 50 ppm

 

 

 

In 2024, they started releasing aged bottlings, at the time it was a 16-year-old, and this year it's a 13-year-old. As if to soften the distillate, Calvados casks were added to classic Bourbon casks, and other Octaves, which speed up maturation. But in fact, an Octave Cask normally has a capacity of 50 to 60 litres, whereas these have a capacity of 100 litres. They should therefore be called Quarter Casks. In any case, these are very large Octave Casks.

 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Imposing, dusty peat, ashes bathed in honey, gum arabic, candied apricots. Oriental pastries like zlabia or baklava, lightly sprinkled with pistachio. All delicately woody. Brewer's yeast. A hint of pineapple and grapefruit. On the palate, it's even sweeter and fruitier, barley sugar, lemon zest, banana, papaya, white grapes, peach and greengage. The spices are tamed. The finish is fairly powerful, of medium length, liquorice, dried fruit, dates, fruit pastes, marrons glacés, honeyed walnuts.

 

In Short, 

It's a good idea to soften the distillate with Calvados casks, but here I find that it doesn't work perfectly. The minerality of the Kilchoman profile is lost, as is much of the peat power, and the result is a little too gentle for my taste. However, it's up to each individual to decide what they prefer, and others are sure to like it. Perhaps a younger distillate would have been better. In any case, I wouldn't recommend buying it, even though I applaud the experimentation.

Score : 88 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Greet Death - Country Girl

Kilchoman Loch Gorm 2025 Edition 10 yo

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Kilchoman - Islay

Oloroso Sherry Butts and Hogsheads

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 50 ppm

 

 

 

This is the 13th edition of Loch Gorm, first launched in 2013, and the 2nd to be aged to my knowledge, as the 2024 edition was 9 years old. 10 years old seems the right age to me, with 18,000 bottles going on sale, that's how established the product's reputation is with the public. This means that 23 Oloroso Sherry casks have been used, 20 of which were first fill, and they all came from Bodega José y Miguel Martin, one of the most renowned. All this should result in some fine quality. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Despite the intensity of the peat, it's very delicate, warm caramel, blackberry jam, a pinch of blackcurrant, a good dose of soot, cola-flavoured granita, almost solid smoke, full of charcoal. Dark cherries and grapes, dark chocolate, a few coffee beans. Chocolate cake batter, with melted butter. After a while it really takes off, a real deep fullness sets in. The palate is full-bodied, with various red fruits, perhaps a little beetroot, and then a thick layer of peat, liquorice and muscat grapes. Large fragments of lignite. Not very strong spices, cloves, cumin. Fairly long finish, not very powerful, charcoal, cola, ginger, coffee grounds, a touch of bitterness, then it's like an oil-tipped beach, fuel oil, gas oil, tar puddles. Pure cocoa.

 

In Short, 

Such rigorous cask selection and an acceptable age are bound to produce results, and what we have here is an excellent Loch Gorm, maybe the best. The red fruit and powerful peat blend together magnificently. On the other hand, I didn't smell any of the citrus, which several reviewers have mentioned. Never mind, it's really very good. The only remaining problem is the price, which is still too high for what it is. A promotion would be welcome, but there certainly won't be one. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Nostakghia - Kingsom of Disturb

Kilchoman 2018 Sauternes Cask Matured 2024 Edition 5 yo

 

 

 

50° 

Distillery : Kilchoman - Islay 

1st Fill and Refill Sauternes Barriques

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 50 ppm

 

 

 

This is the third edition of Sauternes Cask Matured, the others having taken place in 2016 and 2018, but several Single Cask editions have been matured or finished with Sauternes, in 2021 and 2022. Here, we have an ageing entirely made in Sauternes casks, with 22% of the liquid marinated in First Fill casks, and the rest in Refill, most of which had previously been used for the 2018 edition, which only underwent a 5-month finish in Sauternes casks. According to Kilchoman founder Anthony Wills, ‘using Sauternes casks for finishing is the ideal preparation for full maturation, the shorter finishing period extracts the most intense Sauternes influence, creating casks that develop plenty of Sauternes character without losing structure or balance.’ Many of the casks were filled in 2018, but some were filled in 2017. We don't know how many bottles went on sale, but the 2018 edition had 10,000 bottles, so here I think there are a few more.

Let's Taste It : 

Very windy, slightly herbaceous peat, chasselas grapes, greengages and banana, cooked pears, lime, île flottante, meringue, cheesecake, pistachio macaroon, it's very smooth. On the palate, it's spicy, pepper and cloves, still white grapes and banana, but this time combined with liquid honey, butterscotch, mirabelle plum liqueur, white peaches, some exotic fruits, papaya, mango, pineapple. Long, very explosive finish, delicate liquorice, woody bitterness, salt trail, ginger. Braised endives.

In Short, 

This is a very successful, well-balanced Kilchoman, in which the Sauternes comes through without being too sweet or overpowering. The peat is softened, but still full of character. It's easy to drink, but it's still big peat. The whisky lover who doesn't like peat and whom I gave a taste of this said it was 'shit'. So we're sticking to the divide, and so much the better. If Kilchoman became consensual, it would be a disaster. As for the price, it's high as with all Kilchoman, but if you look hard enough you'll find more reasonable amounts.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Clouds - If These Walls Could Speak

Line Up #26 : Just a Few Recent Kilchoman

12 July 2024. 

 

 

 

 

 

The Line Up Project :

The idea is simply to taste some of Kilchoman's recent expressions and compare them with older ones. This will give you an idea of where the distillery is at, after all, it's still young and has a long way to go. In the previous Line Up devoted to the distillery, I said that it did not yet have the same quality as the other Islay brands, that it lacked older expressions and a real regular range. Since then, a 16 year old has been released, which hasn't totally convinced me. I haven't included it in the Line Up, as I don't have it to hand, but I do have two other editions from this year. That's enough for a nice little tasting.

Thé Tasting :

Kilchoman Loch Gruinart : This one appeared in 2020, first exclusively in France and then worldwide. It's an interesting alternative to Machir Bay, of which I'm not a fan.
Beautiful mineral peat, typical of the distillery, barely hindered by the influence of Bourbon. It's airy and iodised. Very light on the palate, with only peat and a little pepper. Perhaps a few drops of honey. Nice finish, quite long but lacking explosiveness, quite fruity and also maritime. Score : 85

Kilchoman Sanaig : Launched as early as 2015, this is one of the distillery's flagship expressions. Its ageing in Sherry casks gives it a certain sweetness.
Deep sherry with charcoal and mother-of-pearl. Honey, leather, caramel. Quince jelly and peanut butter. Well-crafted, full palate, woody apricot, light spices. Amadou. Long but slightly flat finish, dried fruits, dates, raisins, soft caramel. Score : 85

Kichoman Loch Gorm 2018 : This one is reputed to be the best of this annual limited edition, which has been around since 2013. It's a successful marriage of Kilchoman peat and Sherry.
Fine, grainy smoke, coal nuggets, liquorice, velvety prunes, damp wood, toffee-topped hazelnut.
Very well done on the palate, but a little pale, soft caramel that melts under the tongue, marzipan, loukoum, filled dates, milk chocolate, perfectly integrated spices. Long, languorous finish, forest undergrowth, mushrooms, pine needles, dark chocolate, walnuts. Score : 88

Kilchoman Loch Gorm 2024 : The 2024 edition is the 12th of the Loch Gorm for which the distillery is famous.
Bewitching smoke, lightly burnt wood, dark Sherry, black grapes and red plums. Toffee and dried banana. Very velvety and woody palate, toffee, melting chocolate, measured spices. Quite explosive finish, charcoal, cola, heather earth. Score : 88

Kilchoman Batch Strength : A new entry in the regular range, this cask strength edition shows the staff's efforts to diversify and rekindle the flame of the early years when the fledgling distillery went viral.
The nose is still very green and vegetal, with tall, damp grass, sunburnt turf and steamy peat. Iodine and tide. We've got just the right marine fragrance. The surf. On the palate, it's not exactly what you'd expect, very slightly bitter wood, Guérande salt, virulent spices. The finish is a success, as violent as one could wish, with spices, cola and pine cones. Tobacco, salt, white fruits. Score: 87

What I gain from it : 

• The regular range is as young and unaged as ever. The distillate is fine, vigorous and full of character, but lacks the finesse and subtlety to counterbalance the virulence of the peat. The new Batch Strength doesn't break the rule, and is even saturated with vegetal fragrances that don't match the distillery's usual profile.
  

 

 

• The limited editions have this finesse and subtlety, almost too much so. But they are hard to find at a price that matches their quality.
  

 

• There is little difference between the two Loch Gorm, although 6 years have passed from one to the other. This shows that the distillery is stagnating a little, if not regressing, as the 2018 edition is slightly higher than the 2024.
  

Conclusion : 

I'm beginning to wonder if there aren't a few problems with this distillery. The regular range is somewhat weak for an Islay, with unaged whiskies that have a good character, but lack complexity and depth. The limited editions are often really good, but the value for money is not there. 

 

 

 

 

All in all, there is very little really worthwhile from this distillery, whose potential is nonetheless enormous. The distillate is magnificent, but often too young. The ageing in Sherry casks is very well done, but then it lacks power. There's not much missing to bring it up to the level of its Islay brethren, but it just doesn't get there, is the step too high? 

 

 

 

 

 

It's been the status quo for several years now, and the distillery is going to have to step up to the plate, with a regular range featuring properly aged bottlings, advantageous limited editions and where the distillate really comes into its own. We'll be waiting.

Kilchoman Loch Gorm 2018

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Kilchoman - Islay

19 Oloroso Sherry Butts

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2018

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 50 ppm

 

 

 

This edition of Loch Gorm is the sixth, since the name was launched in 2013, and, by reputation, it's one of the best. It's a blend of 19 Oloroso Sherry Butts, distilled in 2007, 2008 and 2011. The blend must therefore be between 6 and 11 years old, but what's certain is that it has given 15,000 bottles.. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The smoke is fine, ashy and grainy, charcoal balls with a knob of soft caramel, fig jam, tinder wood, a hint of raspberry, sultanas. Pellets of peat in the background, foresty and earthy. Acorn, bark and clay, in a damp clearing. A pinch of salt. Cashew nuts, dark chocolate. On the palate, it's silky, honeyed, with a big pile of peat, then fairly well managed spices, nutmeg, ginger, cayenne pepper, cocoa powder. The finish is wonderfully long, close to explosion, then languorous, with thick caramel, candied quince, cloves, black radish, roots, brown tobacco, more chocolate.

 

In Short, 

It's true that the nose is rather marvellous, with very nice smoke and magnificent balance. If I'm trying to be objective, this is certainly the best Loch Gorm I've ever tasted. On the other hand, if I stick to my personal tastes, I wonder if I didn't prefer other versions that were fruitier. It's all a question of taste. But it's still a very good product. 6 years after its release, it has become a collector's item, yet it's still relatively easy to find, but you have to put a disproportionate price on it.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Oh Land - Wolf & I

Kilchoman 2014 Loch Gorm 2024 Edition 9 yo

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Kilchoman - Islay

1st Fill and 2d Fill Oloroso Sherry Butts

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 50 ppm

 

 

 

Like every year since 2013, Kilchoman is bringing us a new version of the peat and Sherry combination. This one is the 12th, it's 9 years old, and is the fruit of 23 Butts of Oloroso Sherry from Bodega José y Miguel Martin, 17 of which are first-fill and 6 second-fill. It was released with a total of 18,000 bottles. Loch Gotm is close to the distillery, where it draws its water. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Liquorice and damsons, muscat grapes. The peat is not too strong, quite earthy. It gives a fine balance. Chocolate filled with dried fruits, bark dipped in caramel, a few drops of diesel and gas oil. Fig, thick smoke, hints of honey. Blueberry jam, peach pit. Dark chocolate mousse. Velvety on the palate, a good reflection of the nose, melted chocolate, flowing over fresh pear, red fruits, cinnamon, whiffs of smoke. The spices are barely perceptible, just a bit of nutmeg. Long finish, fairly smoky, not very explosive. Wood dripping with treacle, amber tobacco, beer yeast, cereal notes.

 

In Short, 

I found that this one insisted a lot on liquorice, and I didn't entirely like that. All in all, it's still a very nice bottling, but not the best Loch Gorm I've ever tasted. Still, it's up there with the rest of the series. The price, on the other hand, is again too high in my opinion.

Score : 88  

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Alcest - L'Envol