Kilchoman Machir Bay (2014 Edition)

Nose: Sharp, acrid smoke, not gentle. Imagine inhaling smoke from burning garden leaves when the wind shifts, that's the sensation. It's a brisk wood smoke, not a mellow peatiness. Citrus and salt notes are present, but the dominant characteristic is the vibrant, intense smoke. Palate: Smoke hits first, followed by fruit and salt. Similar to the nose, but the fruit is a bit smoother. As it develops, a pronounced cereal character emerges, not malty, but like raw barley (perhaps a hint of yeastiness?). Some vanilla, spices, and sherry cask influence are detected, yet the smoke remains the primary element, just as on the nose. Finish: Moderately long. It's sweet, comforting, and, once again, smoky. My initial reaction upon tasting this spirit was its youthfulness. It exhibits the typical traits of a young, spirit-forward smoky whisky where the smoke overshadows other elements. The casks haven't had sufficient time to soften the spirit or impart complexity. There's no age statement, and I don't recall the distillery providing age details for Machir Bay bottlings. My estimation is around 5-6 years old. Despite its age, it's well-balanced. However, every Kilchoman I've sampled prompts me to consider its potential after an additional decade of aging. As a side note, this bore some resemblance to Ledaig, but Ledaig presents a similar profile with greater confidence and less rawness. "Good": 83/100 (3.5 stars)

Bold, bright, and vibrant; imagine Laphroaig CS, diluted to 50% ABV, then remove the iodine and smooth sweetness, and you'll have this wonderful Islay malt. The nose is 100% traditional Islay, meaning smoke, peat brine, and a bit of wood, but in their own unique proportions that are just slightly different from its island cousins. The palate opens with a fair amount of lemongrass and a hint of sardine oil, followed by heat, smoke, and quite a bit of peat. Search around in here for a few minutes, and you'll find eucalyptus, mint, and pepper, but it always ends in the warm, lingering embrace of peat and smoke. This is probably just a bit too sharp and forward for an everyday dram, but if you're looking for an Islay that isn't dominated by peat and seaweed, this is the one.

It's like sipping honeyed liqueur from a freshly charred barrel. The peat is present throughout, but there isn't much development. I could almost say it confuses the palate, creating uniformity instead of consistency. It's superior to the Kilchoman Sanaig, and significantly less intense than the Ardbeg 10; this is worth a taste occasionally. My Rating System: Two Stars: "I'd rather be drinking lite beer." Two 1/2 Stars: "Posh rubbish." Three Stars: "I love whisk(e)y. This is average love." Three 1/2 Stars: "May buy again." Four Stars: "I've got to get you into my life." Four 1/2 Stars: "Better than drugs." Five Stars: "Life is good. Whisky makes it better."

I truly, deeply DESPISE being the dissenting opinion here, but this release is unequivocally awful. I understand, I'm the sole negative voice, so I must be mistaken. Regardless, and acknowledging that taste is highly subjective, let me emphasize again how terrible this whisky is. Consider the aroma. Should Islay whisky smell of peat and ROTTEN LEMONS? The fruity notes are so unappealing that I can't appreciate any other qualities. The palate and finish... Who could possibly tell after that. And that's my humble opinion, which, as you know, doesn't influence purchasing decisions these days.

My first experience with Kilchoman distillery has been a great one! I have the 2018 bottling, though. I love the whole craft presentation of the whisky itself, and the box this malt came in is stunning as well. The nose is lovely Islay peat but slightly different from the rest. It has a pretty sweet arrival with a little brine, which I love. Honey and a pinch of sea salt. The sherry influence is minimal, but I suspect this will increase over time, like it did for me with Kilkerran 12 and Springbank 10. A medium peaty finish to round it all off. Classy and tasty, cheers everyone!

initial aroma: immediate smoke, but clean and not too much. a bit of iodine. brine. initial taste: smoky, rubber hose. second aroma: same but with added black licorice. mint. second taste: a little mild sweetness, clean herbaceous taste and black licorice. third aroma: sweetness. cooked fruit! like candied pear. ending: clean smoke and a hint of spice. char