Kilchoman Machir Bay

Review #001 Type: single malt scotch Alcohol content: 46% Details: No Age Statement, ex-bourbon & ex-sherry casks Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Pale straw color. Swirling reveals a thick line sticking to the side of the glass, legs form slowly. Nose: 17/20 All BBQ upfront, sweet and not spicy, some sea spray and a little charcoal as well. Palate: 29/40 Smoky and briny with a hint of lemon. Good but a little disappointing after the appearance and nose. Finish: 20/40 Almost non-existent, a brief hint of charcoal and a short ethanol burn. With Water: A drop of water brings out strong vanilla upfront, but it struggles to integrate well with the other flavors, and the saltiness of the finish increases. Total Score: 66/100 Final thoughts: Worth trying, but I won't be purchasing another bottle once this one is finished. The intense nose made me very eager to taste it, but ultimately the flavor didn't live up to expectations. Price: $60 Would recommend: no Would buy: no Scoring Guide: 96-100: The ultimate dram, absolutely exceptional, divine nectar, I will cherish this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Almost perfect, something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, nearly flawless, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable, but doesn't amaze me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but I 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 pouring down the drain, 2.5 stars or less.

This was a fortunate discovery! While unavailable in Texas, I found it in Florida. A very good Islay whisky with aromas of lemon zest, some vanilla, and brine. The coastal seaside influence provides delicate salty notes alongside the smoke. After adding a few drops of water, floral aromas emerge with more lemon and brine. On the palate, it initially presented as more grassy with vegetal notes, followed by the sweet lemon zest. Towards the finish, it became quite floral and peppery. With a few drops of water, it became slightly sweeter with more vanilla and orange honey notes. The texture is oilier than usual, creating a creamy sensation with thick legs. Its light gold color belies the significant flavor it holds. Superb! Cheers!

Sweet and delicate, Kilchoman won't overpower you like some other Islays. This is more of a gentle nudge. But that's not a negative, it's surprisingly fruity and floral, with sweetness from the bourbon casks, but the sherry also makes its presence known. And there's none of that sulfurous note I dislike that you find in some sherry casks. The smoke is papery, not woody, more akin to Coal Ila than Laphroaig or Ardbeg in terms of peat. It all comes together with a surprisingly fresh mineral taste, similar to Fiji water. Completely unique, totally clean and crisp from start to finish. I'll be watching Kilchoman; this new distillery shows a lot of potential.

A complex Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Kilchoman Distillery, a farm distillery established by Anthony Wills in Islay, Scotland. It is crafted using 30% of their own barley, with the remainder sourced from Port Ellen Maltings. This expression is a blend of malt aged for 4 and 5 years in Bourbon casks, with an Oloroso finish. It begins with a smoky profile, revealing notes of straw, salted white chocolate, and hints of sherry. Its balanced and clean development introduces flavors of black pepper, butterscotch, lemon peel, fresh strawberry, and fruit punch, leading to a prolonged and tarry conclusion with notes of peat, salt, and baking spices. October / August 2022

This spirit requires some patience. I suggest at least two servings before forming an opinion. Initially, it seems quite young and light. While peat and smoke are present, so are vanilla and orange. However, with each sip, new layers emerge, and the vanilla and smoke yield to citrus fruits and a more intricate, creamy texture. I began rating this at 3.25 and ended my first glass at 3.75. After a second glass, I questioned if even a 4.25 was justified. I'll settle on 3.75, but you might easily find it a 4+ with extended tasting.

Relatively speaking, not too smoky/peaty. The Islay minty peat is light to medium upfront, fading pleasantly to leather and dark dry chocolate. Vanilla beans and ice cream, hearty barley, pineapple, sugared coconut flakes, tart passionfruit, red plum, mild lemon zest, sweet tobacco, grassy, sea brine complete it. Its color is almost as light as one of the Compass Box blends. A bit too little barrel aging gives this a slightly too light body. Sanaig was more impressive. The majority of bourbon barrel aging isn't as good as classic single malt scotch sherry aging statements.