Kilchoman Sauternes Cask Finish (2018 Edition)

Kilchoman tasting event at The Oak Barrel, Sydney, on June 25th, 2019: Spirit #3 Nose: A mild fruity/floral aroma, less bright than Machir Bay but not as subdued as Sanaig. It has a rich, creamy scent and a very gentle, warm, and fragrant peated smoke. After resting and a bit of water, distinct notes of white grape, apricot, and peach emerge. Palate: A rich, buttery arrival that is also surprisingly spicy. The full, rounded peated smoke quickly develops, accompanied by a fruity presence that isn't from fresh or dried fruits. It has a savory quality, like preserved kumquat or quince, and a dark orange marmalade note. The texture is pleasing and the balance is very good. Finish: Medium to long. As the palate fades, the main fruity notes dissipate, leaving a lingering mild smoky sweetness with a hint of ginger in the aftertaste. Initially aged in ex-bourbon for 5 years, then finished for 5 months in fresh sauternes casks, this is an interesting and successful spirit, definitely worth trying if available. A splash of water enhances the smoke on both the nose and palate, further highlights the sauternes cask, and intensifies the spice throughout. The more delicate fruity notes are somewhat lost with dilution, affecting the overall balance, but it remains very enjoyable. Some may prefer to lower the alcohol content, as it handles dilution to the low 40s well. I was uncertain about my final rating for this – it began as a solid "good" spirit but by the end of the evening, and in comparison to the other Kilchomans tasted, it moved progressively into "very good" territory. The sauternes cask influence is skillfully managed, appearing as nuances rather than overwhelming the spirit. "Very Good": 85/100 (4 stars)

I've been sampling my collection chronologically, setting aside special drams for later. After those, I'll stick to a first-in, first-out approach, occasionally fast-tracking a dram to decide on a potential bottle purchase before it sells out. This was one such dram. It has beautiful peat married with Sauternes sweetness, no flaws, and a pleasant warming aftertaste. A solid 4.25, but it doesn't quite reach the 'must-buy' status for me. I miss the full Kilchoman aging experience. While expertly made, I prefer a bolder impact, like the red wine cask offered. This dram is nice, but not a repeat purchase. I'll be saving for the Solstice, as the Albariza is likely out of reach. Update 11/19: I did buy the Solstice and then couldn't stop. After purchasing this bottle, the STR, and Benromach Peat Sherry 2010 CS, I'm officially taking a break.

This complex Scotch Whisky, created by Anthony Wills, founder of Kilchoman Distillery, is first aged in ex-Bourbon barrels. The 30 casks then undergo a 5-month finish in fresh Sauternes hogsheads, with only 10,000 bottles produced. It opens aromatically with notes of fresh plum, apricot, BBQ pineapple, and salted citrus peels, complemented by a hint of baked earth. The rich and creamy palate reveals quince jam, oatcakes, grassy peat, green apple boiled sweets, caramel, vanilla, citrus, sea salt, cayenne pepper, and campfire. The finish is long and earthy, featuring raspberry, candied ginger, more sea salt, peat, and smoke. (March 2020 / August 2022)

Except for the 2018 Port Cask, Kilchoman's offerings have generally been good to excellent. This one is no different. Instead of full maturation in sweet Sauternes, it spent just 5 months above its 5-year age. The aroma is sweet smoke embers, followed closely by smoke and white grape flavors on the palate. The finish is lingeringly smoky and sweet. My pour improved significantly over an hour, transforming from hot and sweet to smoky sweet. This is simply excellent and makes up for the Port Cask disappointment.

A very pleasant peaty nose with a slight hint of Sauternes sweetness and some exotic fruits. On the palate, the smoke hits first but is well-coated by a rich, caramelized, and boozy body. The finish is incredible, long-lasting, and very enjoyable. As always, I love Kilcho

I sampled a single cask bottling as part of a tasting. This particular cask is 10 years old. It stood out as the best in the flight, likely due to its age, offering a more mellow and less sharp profile. However, I find it too expensive for the quality. Still, I'm glad I had the chance to try it.