Kilchoman Fèis Ìle 2020

This is the second pour of my day off, a rare occurrence for me. Nose - Sweet, fruity notes. I almost detect hints of pears and strawberry towards the end. There's a savory meatiness, but the whisky doesn't quite become peaty. It's actually quite unique and special. I can't believe it's only ex-bourbon. Taste - Rich sweetness, with putty and lacquer appearing on the finish. A very glue-like and smoky finish. The finish includes oak spice and is long and lingering. There are some medicinal notes in the middle palate. There isn't much to analyze regarding flavor here. I get their general base whisky profile, but if anything, this makes me think that even light sherry aging is a major factor in what makes their core expression so great at such young ages. All ex-bourbon doesn't work as well for me. A very well-crafted cask strength 12-year-old peated whisky, but not exceptional. I'll give it a 2.25, which is above average, but honestly, the cask strength element doesn't add much here. There's simply nothing remarkable to note, but I can't imagine anyone disliking it. However, I also can't imagine this being the Kilchoman you'd want to revisit repeatedly.

Pleasant dark and tropical. The smokiness from this isn't overwhelming but is quite vegetal. Nose: Vanilla, Campfire Smoke, Peaches, Lychees, Iodine, Cherries, Red Apples, Coffee, Tar, Oranges, Pineapples, Kiwis, Milk Chocolate Palate: Smoke, Sea Salt, Oranges, Bacon, Vanilla, Green Pepper, Grass, Herbs, Cooked Agave, Orange Peels, Grapefruits, Bananas, Coconuts Finish: Smoke, Guava, Plantains, Vanilla, Pineapples, Papayas, Passion Fruit, Cherries, Apricots, Caramel

"Smells like dry peated malt" rather than the aggressive smoke of some Islay whiskies. Rich, sweet, and bready on the palate.

The nose has a metallic, smoky quality. The palate is vanilla, chili, and creamy, finishing with a trace of sooty smoke.