Kilchoman 100% Islay (7th Edition)

Distillery tasting in Scotland, September 2017. This was the fourth whisky. Nose: Unadulterated malt, cider vinegar, new wood (perhaps virgin?), faint smoke. The aroma is delicate and sharp, with cereal notes taking the forefront. Palate: Smoky, oily citrus, sourdough. Slightly astringent and burns if not diluted. Adding water brings out considerable sweetness and a richer texture. Finish: Extended. Ashen smoke and licorice. Watering it down enhances the aroma, releasing the smoke and some waxy peat. Dilution also mellows the palate and introduces some sweetness. This is a direct, upfront whisky that clearly communicates its character from the first smell. For me, Kilchoman expressions haven't yet matched the complexity and depth of more established Islay whiskies, but they are well-crafted and consistently intriguing. I favor their more intensely smoky whiskies, and even a brief period in sherry casks significantly benefits this distillate. While it's good when aged entirely in bourbon barrels, as is the case here, it can sometimes feel a bit austere and brittle. "Good": 84/100 (3.75 stars)

50% alcohol. 100% Islay. 7 years of aging in new and used bourbon barrels. Natural color. Opaque straw. On the nose, the initial impression is extremely iodized mineral water. Then fruity notes begin to appear like juniper, plum, and then a traditional peat with its typical woody notes. Smoke. Almond. Smoked dried fruits like walnuts. Candied nuts. Freshly cut grass. Cultivated fields. Brine. Vanilla follows. Wood is omnipresent. On the palate, the perfect marriage of peat and grain. A marine and iodized sensation predominates without losing focus on a grain with plum-like tones. Medium body. Easy to drink. It leads to a smooth finish but with a long-lasting and direct aftertaste. It turns to red grape. White pepper. Paired with white pepper, the toffee-like sweetness is highlighted, with very good latakia tobacco pairing, bringing out plum and dark chocolate notes.

Nose - I keep getting a burned sensation when nosing this. It's acidic, has some candy cigarette notes, faint earthy notes, a hint of vinegar, and a touch of oak. Palate - here I detect oak, liquid cane sugar, caramel, and watery notes. Then the whiskey shifts to a peated profile, bringing out meaty and smoky flavors. Waxy paper notes and smoke are present. This is considerably below average. Excessively hot. The flavors are certainly dull. However, there's still quality. I'll rate it a 1.75. I respect the complexity, even though it's not necessarily a good thing here.

Smoky, meaty barbecue essence with campfire notes. A pleasing quality. 3.5 A spicy heat that stings, reminiscent of a medicinal Laphroaig quality, with pronounced oak. 1.5 Oak-forward and lingering. 2.5 2.25 Smoky, barbecue meat notes akin to Caol Ila, with moderate spice. 3.75 Smoky and medicinal, evoking iodine and Laphroaig, with an oily, thick, creamy texture, barbecue meat, dryness, and subtle oak at the finish. 2.75 A lengthy finish with oak influence. 2.75 3

Nose features smoke and some citrus. The initial taste is bitter, followed by a strong peppery spice and a touch of sweetness that lingers on the finish. Rated 3.5 due to the price, otherwise it would be 3.75.

Less oaky than anticipated, likely due to its youth. Some sweet caramel notes on the palate and a finish with peat and a hint of charcoal.