Kilchoman 100% Islay 5th Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

"100% Stunning!"- Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2017.

Unashamedly one of our favourite Islay distilleries, Kilchoman is also one of Scotland’s smallest, and has been busy reviving the tradition of farm distilling since 2005. The venture was the idea of a wine and spirit merchant, Anthony Wills who moved to Islay in 2000 after marrying a local. Kilchoman’s slogan of “Taking whisky back to its roots” is backed up by practice: just two stills and an adherence to old-fashioned methods means this is essentially a ‘farm distillery’, just as many were in the early nineteenth century. Almost everything to do with whisky production happens on site. Even the majority of the barley is grown and malted by the distillery - highly unusual nowadays when most are either purchasing barley from around Scotland or importing the raw materials. Around 80% of Kilchoman’s output sees maturation in x-Bourbon barrels from Buffalo Trace with the remainder aged in Oloroso Sherry butts from Spain, though Madeira, Port and Sauternes casks are also employed.

A laborious, hands-on, attention to detail approach has hit pay-dirt with a swag of awards including most recently, “Best Islay Single Malt for 2016” at the IWSC. The house style tends towards a semi-sweet, fruity and smoky malt - think Bruichalddich or Caol Ila at their very best, but it’s the superb purity of the spirit and the stunning sea-shore freshness that sets Kilchoman apart. These are consistently some of the most highly rated young whiskies in the world, and were priced accordingly. Now with the appointment of a new Australian distribtor, pricing across the entire portfolio has significantly adjusted in your favour. There’s never been a better time to experience these sensational malts.

Other reviews... big peat, yet this is the softest of softies on delivery. Ulmo honey now taking control...the character style of Central American coffee makes a later entry than normal, but intertwines with the smoke to magnificent effect. 100% Stunning! 50% Alc./Vol.
95.5 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2017

...A vatting of the 2009 and 2010 vintages, supposed to be lightly peated. The barley was entirely grown on the estate, so this is much more ‘single malt’ that others. Just saying. Colour: white wine. Nose: it hasn’t got the brightness and the high impact of the Loch Gorms, and perhaps is it a little wishy-washy in comparison, despite the higher strength. A gentler one, and you have to nose much deeper to get the eucalyptussy side as well as the unexpected tangerines. The jury’s still out… Mouth: much, much better! This ain’t no nosing whisky, everything happens on the palate, with some kind of smoked and salted bread, some salted peanuts (as Dizzy would have said), and a mix of fresh butter and… Oysters! A touch of mezcal that I already had found in the Machir. Finish: medium long, salty and almondy. A touch of putty. Salty margarita in the aftertaste. Comments: philosophically, I like this better. Organoleptically, the Loch Gorms rule big time! 84 points - whiskyfun.com