Kilchoman UK Small Batch No. 2

I've arrived at Islay's family-owned farm distillery, the magnificent Kilchoman. Established relatively recently in 2005, in my opinion, it's the fastest-growing distillery on the isle in terms of flavor and quality. They cultivate their own barley and handle all production on-site, crafting a 100% Islay whisky. This particular expression is the "UK Small Batch No. 2," a special release bottled at 47.4% ABV, with maturation comprising 70% in Bourbon Barrels, 10% in Oloroso Sherry Casks, and 20% in PX Sherry Hogsheads. The nose is very rustic, with notes of breakfast cereal, a very subtle pleasant pepper, bacon, cardamom, and hints of orange syrup. On the palate, it's creamy like cheese with a wonderfully pleasant spicy blackberry marmalade. There's some orange syrup, cereal, and mild spice. After the first sip, it delivered delightful orange and cereal flavors, along with vanilla wafer notes, being amazingly sweet, orangey, tangy, and mildly spicy. Spectacular. The finish is dominated by smoke and a cereal-like pop. Cardamom and ginger are present, contributing to a rustic feel. Overall, my initial taste of this was outstanding, as are most Kilchomans I've tried previously. It's full of bold flavors and aromas, making for a very interesting and distinctive single malt. My rating for this gem is 93 out of 100.

Nose: Smoky and charred timber. Palate: Sugary smoke, stone fruit (apple, pear), with nuttiness. Finish: Rich cocoa, spice, roasted beans. This offers a pleasant, mellow, smoky texture. A truly enjoyable, comforting pour. I missed the live event, but the team at GSC was kind enough to provide a recording. This prevented me from seeing the final poll results!

Not overly peaty, with lingering cinnamon and spice, an excellent choice for a winter drink.