Kilchoman Original Cask Strength (2016 Release)

Rating: 15/23 Nose: After letting it sit for a few minutes, I detect rich meat with a bitter smokiness, a developing rancid herbal note (slightly), a hint of chocolate sweetness, and a thin layer of toasted grain. There's also a prominent tartness, reminiscent of a lemony grain whisky with a bit of a kick. This fades over time as the smoke and other scents become more apparent. An herbal character emerges but lacks distinctness. Overall, it seems quite balanced after about 10 minutes in the glass, but it never achieves significant complexity. The fullness does improve considerably, however. Palate: Quite rich and full without being overly sweet from the malt. There's smoke with some peat, allowing bitter herbs to come through. Some sweet, moderately rich malt is present initially but quickly disappears. Spices create a lot of prickling. Sweet vanilla essence mixed with a burst of lemon and a woody bitterness, all combined with what tastes like creek water. A touch of earthiness. Toasted grains appear as it progresses, followed by a faint anise later on. A hint of roast chicken is present at times. Finish: Smoke with sweet water, roast chicken, black pepper, and some toasty grain that verges on malt. - Conclusion - It's quite typical of an aged Kilchoman, meaning it tastes like a mildly distilled spirit that has been aged for a moderate period and isn't particularly interesting. However, the higher proof does enhance the flavor and prevent it from tasting diluted. I wish the 2007 vintage (rated 13/23) had been bottled at this strength, as it really needed more definition. Therefore, I consider this superior to Kilchoman 2007. Compass Box Glasgow Blend (rated 14/23) is smoother and perhaps more muddled, but it exhibits better barrel aging and is more approachable. I prefer the character of this bottling, with its more distinct flavors and strong smokiness. On the other hand, Amrut Peated (rated 17/23, though perhaps it should be 16/23) tastes younger and sweeter, but displays considerable depth and complexity with good balance and none of the harshness found here. The Amrut is definitively better. Even with its substantially lower proof, Laphroaig 10 is also considerably fuller and richer than this. This falls in the 14 to 16 range, with 14 or 15 being most likely. I'll rate it a 15.

This scotch is exceptionally distinct, almost otherworldly. It offers a lot, all of it intense. The aroma grounds this intensity, presenting a pleasant lemony clarity with underlying notes of peat moss, hay, nutritional yeast, sea mist, and chestnut. The taste is slightly less unified, featuring a vibrant mix of flavors: yellow fruit, cardamom, roasted Kalamata olives, hints of chocolate, and salted cantaloupe. A lively barrel spice unveils notes of fresh ginger and Ceylon cinnamon, adding a tangy dimension to an otherwise oily texture. The finish, characterized by smoke and cacao, provides a slow, deep warmth felt in the chest. While I appreciate an intense and truly unique scotch, I also enjoyed a few drops of water added, which softened it somewhat. The aroma loses some clarity, gaining an iodine quality. The taste becomes more subdued, emphasizing sweeter cinnamon and cantaloupe notes along with candied ginger. A sweet pipe smoke finish completes it. This is a bottle that demands patience and ample space, much like a cherished friend whose energy requires periods of rest between interactions (could that friend be me...?).

In my opinion, Kilchoman is one of the few distilleries I consistently rate highly. Besides a few others, there aren't many that perform at this level repeatedly. Thanks to a friend, I had the chance to sample this Islay whisky. I know you won't agree, but I had to add water, as it was too intense otherwise. With water, the aroma is quite intriguing: marzipan, engine oil, and seaweed. It's fresh and lively. The taste awakens with smoked herring. A peppery finish, not hot, but like mild chili peppers. Another solid high rating for me. Thanks! (As a side note, Kilchoman recently released a portwood edition; it will be interesting to see how sweet port influences its briny style).

This is significantly better than the 2014 expression. It presents a pleasant, earthy peat reminiscent of Lagavulin. The aroma offers bright oranges, vanilla, salted pretzels, mango, jasmine, and peat smoke. The palate is exceptional, even when consumed neat, delivering notes of barbecue, creme brulee, bakery pastry, almonds, marzipan, cashews, peanut brittle, smoky peat, white grapes, pear, candied apples, caramel, and molasses. It's remarkably good. The finish is long with a substantial mouthfeel, so don't hesitate. A score of 4.75... only additional aging could improve it. The theme for this dram should be 'masterpiece, but powerful.' A fitting soundtrack would be 'Heaven and Hell' by Black Sabbath.

Tasted on February 18, 2017, at The Irish Heather Gastropub. We actually sampled the Kilchoman 'Sauternes' 2016, which is not listed on this app. $35 per dram in the establishment. Kilchoman is a small farm distillery located on Islay and is among the newest in Scotland, founded in 2008. It has already garnered awards. Following a highly sought-after 'club bottling' in 2015, they introduced this, their inaugural general release of a Sauternes cask-matured whiskey. Sauternes is a limited production French sweet wine from Bordeaux, made from white grapes with increased sugar concentration due to the naturally occurring 'Noble rot'.

1/7/18 Aroma: Sweet smoke and caramel. Burnt sugars. The alcohol scent isn't overpowering. Taste: Sweet smoke is present in the flavor. Not very salty. Flavors of honey and barbecue.