Kilchoman Machir Bay (2016 Edition)

Nose: pleasant peat, railway sleeper, cigarette ash, sea salt, burnt driftwood smoke, and a sweet Barratt fruit salad. Palate: sea salt, bright citrus and tropical fruit, specifically tangy grapefruit and orange. A wave of smoke emerges after swallowing (what is that phenomenon called?). Finish: dry coal dust with notes of tea and salty liquorice. _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_- Last 16, Match 2: Kilchoman Machir Bay versus Ben Nevis 10yo Following the cabbage and sulfur of the Ben Nevis, this nose is a pleasure. Kilchoman gets one point. I had to overcome my preference for peaty whiskies to avoid immediately awarding the bout to the Islay dram. The Machir Bay also holds up well on the palate, but it doesn't compare to the wonderful interplay of salt and sweetness found in the Ben Nevis. It was difficult to choose the better based on the different finishes, so I declared it a draw in all three categories. How to determine the winner then? Considering all three categories, the Kilchoman Machir Bay stands its ground. While the Ben Nevis 10 falters in one aspect, it excels significantly in another, thus the victory goes to Fort William and not Islay. _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_- The agonizing dilemma of a whisky enthusiast. I have an overwhelming backlog of samples and miniatures to review. Similar to choosing how to spell 'dilemma,' selecting a dram can often be a 'dilemnna.' I've chosen sixteen Scotch whiskies, aged 12 years or younger, or NAS, to compete in a Scotch Deathmatch. This serves as my motivation to clear out the backlog. Follow along if you're interested (though why would you be?). Oh, the drama!

Nose: Classic Kilchoman peat, with warm, cloudy smoke and mild tropical fruits like pineapple and star fruit behind it. Also notes of cold coffee and a touch of vanilla, still slightly sweet. Palate: The peat presents with more cold ash flavor upon the first sip, but it’s not unpleasant. It's subtly sweet with fruit, just enough to stay in the background. Specific flavors are hard to pinpoint, but it's delicious. Hints of green banana and burnt brown sugar are present. It’s not highly complex, but it's intense with what it offers. The sherry cask influence is not detected at all. Finish: Long and smoky with a metallic, fruity sourness and a strong ABV burn, similar to smoked birdseye chilies. I enjoy it, but I favor the sherry notes found in the other two Kilchoman expressions. Those complement the peat so well that the bourbon-only Machir Bay feels like something is missing.

On the nose: smooth and fresh, peat, light rubber, lemon, vanilla, slight oakiness, and dried fruit. On the palate: tart, dry, and slightly salty, with lemon, light and rubbery peat that gives way to a pleasant smoke and a marine note. The finish is dry, tannic, and slightly woody, followed by a return of peat. A pleasant whisky with character and originality, particularly due to its tannic touch and lemony notes that blend well with a peat that is not overly aggressive but still noticeable. However, one could criticize this whisky for its slight lack of complexity, especially on the nose, and its dry nature. Furthermore, the sherry influence is minimal, which is a shame. Personal Score: 86/100

An outstanding medium-peated Islay malt. It presents as youthful, estimated to be around six years old. On the nose, I detect fresh malt, vanilla, a trace of fruit from its sherry cask finish, a very subtle floral scent, and, naturally, peat smoke. These elements are all present on the palate. I'm intrigued by the origin of that floral note, whether it stems from the yeast strain, fermentation duration, or still shape. Such details for this malt are unknown to me. I must say, due to that slight sherry influence, this malt reminds me of a peated variation of Old Pulteney

Initial pour. Smells like citrus, hints of vanilla, and a welcome smokiness. On the tongue, fruit comes through along with additional smoky peat. The finish reveals the oloroso sherry, complemented by black pepper and more smoke. All in all, a delightful drink. It's not overly complicated but offers some substance, and the smoke is well-balanced. Considering its price (Costco), it could easily become a go-to. I don't stick to the same drink every day; life's too brief for that.

There's not much more to say about this whiskey except that it's a fantastic Islay. Its particular brilliance lies in its age, being only 6 years old. The subtlety and depth it offers are easily comparable to a 10 year old or older. Nose: peat, smoke, bright floral notes, honey, candied apples and pears. Palate: nearly identical to the nose. An initial wave of peat and smoke. Transitions to rich honey and stewed apples. The flavor persists for a good duration. Very viscous.