Kilchoman Sauternes Cask Matured 2024 Release Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

After a six year absence, Kilchoman's Sauternes matured expression is back, this time boasting a full-term maturation instead of a five month finish. Founder, Anthony Wills selected a combination of fresh and refill Sauternes barriques (22% vs 78%) from two separate years, the youngest being 2018. The result is not too dissimilar to the last version, with flashes of dried apricots and peaches detectable through the savoury, earthy peat reek. A bit of a sweetie at mid palate where the oils thicken until typical Kilchoman peat overtakes, ash and pepper in tow, with an unexpectedly, dry chewy finish that shows some wet stone minerality. 50% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

Other reviews... The nose thrills with gooseberry, honeysuckle, kiwi, linseed oil, passion fruit, lemon sorbet sprinkled with sea salt, and the caramelized meringue peaks of a baked Alaska. It has a slightly waxy mouthfeel with lush summer fruits from the sauternes cask showing Golden Delicious apple, banana, apricot, star fruit, and honey, with a late arrival of peat smoke. Water polishes the fruit notes but unleashes more smoke. 93 points - whiskyadvocate.com