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Kilchoman STR Cask Matured Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Islay, SCOTLAND
$190. 00
Bottle
$2280.00 Dozen
ABV: 50%
A whisky matured in red wine casks that have been shaved, toasted and re-charred. Aka 'STR' casks, these vessels were designed by the late whisky consultant, Dr. Jim Swan. Readers might be familiar with his involvement with several ‘new world’ ventures, bringing quick recognition to brands such as Kavalan, Amrut and Cotswolds.

Kilchoman released a full maturation red wine cask edition in 2016 which took on lots of the big, bold wine flavours, however the process of shaving, toasting and re-charring adds another dimension to the whisky. According to Kilchoman, "The shaving has reduced some of the bolder flavours on the surface of the oak, producing a more subtle red wine influence. Once shaved, the casks were then toasted and charred over a natural oak fire, fueled exclusively using oak chips from used staves. These processes remove harsh tannins and undelivered flavours and break down unwanted chemical bonds such as lignin, celluloses and hemicelluloses, replacing them with sugars, vanilla and spice notes."

Just over 40 STR casks were filled in 2012, all selected by Anthony Wills, Kilchoman’s Founder and Managing Director. Like most of the Kilchoman range, the final whisky was bottled at high ABV without filtration or colouring.

Tasting note: Bright amber / topaz. Dense aromas of raisin toast, Summer pudding, smoked almonds, coastal rock pools and seaweed… further air contact adds hints of salted caramel chocolate and pipe tobacco. A concentrated, hedonistic dram with the barrel input at maximum saturation, this is packed with flavours of plum jam, barrel char, honey and earthy peat, while the finish offers flashes of cinnamon, elastoplast and kipper. Save it for the end of the night. Non chill filtered. 50% Alc./Vol 14,500 bottles.