Kilchoman Fino Sherry Matured (2020 Edition)

Review #071 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 46% Comments: NAS, aged in ex-fino sherry casks from Bodega Miguel Martin, limited to 10,500 bottles Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Tawny in hue. A thin film clings to the glass when swirled, slow-forming legs. Nose: 16/20 Sweet aromatics with hints of mesquite smoke and barbecue, but lacking any peppery or spicy scents. It presents sweet notes of molasses, tomatoes, plums, a touch of salt, some subtle vanilla, and soft banana. Palate: 33/40 Pleasant oily texture, yet with a noticeable alcohol burn. Contrary to the nose, it's not sweet at all. Smoke is the predominant taste, reminiscent of vapor from a heavily used and sooty charcoal grill. Other bitter notes, like pencil shavings and rubber, are present but balanced by traces of honey and pineapple. Finish: 32/40 Moderately long. Begins with a slightly metallic taste, then shifts to sweeter notes, primarily honey, followed by caramelized honey and more smoke. As the sweetness recedes, it's replaced by acrid lemon peel and oak tannins, concluding with a dry sensation. With Water: A few drops of water introduce an almost overwhelming salinity to the palate and finish. I find it preferable without water. Total: 81/100 Final thoughts: When I acquired this bottle, I was quite keen on Kilchoman. I discovered it during a work trip and bought it, knowing I wouldn't find it back home. It offers a different experience compared to other Kilchoman expressions I've sampled, featuring some distinct industrial and metallic notes. I'm pleased I purchased it and had the chance to try it, but I won't be repurchasing it after finishing this one. Price: $89 Would recommend: perhaps Would buy: no Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.

Whisky Tasting: The Oak Barrel, Sydney, 14 January 2021. Whisky #5 Nose: Initially, it presents as a crisp, fresh coastal spirit smelling of olives in brine with a subdued smoky character. Deeper smelling reveals delicate fruit (citrus and tropical) and unusual notes of moss, damp earth, mustard, and oddly, burning electrical wires and hot metal. I suspect the fino sherry cask combined with peat smoke evokes the scent of soldering phenol-resin turret boards. Palate: Significantly smokier on the palate than the nose suggests – a tarry, earthy peat smoke from the very first sip. It's saltier and drier than other smoky Kilchoman expressions. Tropical fruit emerges during development along with salted lemon, bitter walnuts, mild chili, olive oil, coffee, and cocoa powder. The texture is good, but not exceptional. Finish: Medium/long. Smoky, citrusy, bitter, and briny. The dry, astringent walnut skin characteristic of fino sherry is most prominent here. This whisky has a dry, austere, wine-like profile, which makes it difficult for me to review as I dislike that style. Fino sherry has never appealed to me (how unrefined I must be) and I make no apologies for preferring sweeter things. I'd much rather have a rich PX sherry any day. It's very well-crafted (after all, it's Kilchoman) and I'm sure it will suit many palates... just not mine. For my personal preference, I'd score it 74/100, but I'm giving it a high score here because it offers a very distinctive and interesting experience, though not one I'd actively seek out. Additionally, I found it significantly better neat. Water amplifies the dry qualities to the point where I couldn't finish my tasting glass. I highly recommend trying a sample before purchasing, if possible, as it has a divisive profile and at the price point, you'd want to be certain you truly wanted a full bottle. “Good”: 84/100 (3.75 stars)

This is the latest release from Kilchoman, their first entirely matured in Fino Sherry casks. I haven't encountered many whiskies finished in Fino Sherry, and I'm not a sherry expert. However, a quick search for Fino Sherry indicates it's among the sweeter varieties and has strong almond notes. I anticipate a sweetness level between Oloroso and PX, and I imagine the Islay character would complement it well. Around 14,000 bottles of this exist, which doesn't seem 'limited' to me despite the marketing. I only acquired a sample, as I had no intention of buying a full bottle. The most surprising aspect was its color: a pale yellow, suggesting perhaps the casks weren't very active. The nose immediately brings to mind bonfires and smoke. The taste is very well-balanced – you get the campfire followed by a dry, smoky sweetness. It's not excessively sweet, which is fortunate, but the sweetness is discernible, playing a supporting role to the smoke. If you prefer your Islays sweeter, this might not suit you. But if you enjoy prominent smoke with a hint of almond-like sweetness, it merits attention. A bottle is approximately $60-70, and at that price, it's worthwhile.

Very interesting tropical and. Tutu flavors. Smell: Raisins, Pineapples, Sultanas, Toffee, Oranges, Lemons, Bananas, Honey, Figs, Smoke, Green Chilles, Dark Chocolate, Peaches, Coffee, Apricots, Almonds, Cranberries Taste: Raisins, Smoke, Iodine, Salted Caramel, Toffee, Sultanas, Dandelions, Almonds, Oranges, Pepper, Mint, Dark Chocolate, Bacon Finish: Smoke, Pepper, Raisins, Prunes, Dark Chocolate, Salted Caramel

Nose: smoky, musty, with sweetness, strawberry vanilla bubblegum Taste: smoke, leather, caramel and shortbread cookie Finish: long, dry, woody with slight spice Tasted blind, good dram, once I knew it had a Pino finish, I picked out the mineral notes on the palate.

Sea spray and caramelized bananas on the nose lead to ceviche with bright notes of tropical fruits, hints of vinegar, and salted cod, finishing with baking chocolate and citrus. The medium finish has notes of damp burned-out basement and roasted nuts.