Kilchoman (pronounced ‘kill – ho – man)was the first distillery on Islay in 124 years. It’s a family run company, by the Wills Family and Islay’s only independent distillery. Every member of the Wills family works for the distillery. As an aside, Wills family, I am open for adoption. I’m sure Islay needs a pharmacist, right? Kilchoman call themselves Islay’s Farm Distillery. They are the only Scottish distillery that does every part of the production process themselves. They make the whiskey from the barley they grow. They floor malt, distill, mature and bottle themselves. A pretty traditional approach. They are quite a small distillery, producing in one year the amount that a bigger distillery will make in a week. Machir Bay (pron ‘ Mack ear Bay) is Matured in ex sherry (4 weeks) and ex bourbon barrels (4-5 years). The barrels are sourced from a single distiller, Buffalo Trace, who ships them whole. This is unique in that the usual practice of sourcing barrels from a cooperage that gets them from multiple companies that have to break the barrels down to ship them. Machir Bay is bottled at 46% ABV, not quite cask strength but much higher than the traditional 40%. It does give this scotch a spicy, peppery heat that is pleasant long after you are finished your dram. In all it is a young scotch with a big taste that is more pleasing than some more mature bottles I have had. It definitely tastes older than it is. I look forward to trying more offerings from Kilchoman in the near future. I purchased my bottle for $60.99 and will most likely buy another when this one is finished. Matt Color: Very light straw. Nose: Blast of peat. Campfire with smell of ocean. There’s a hint of lemon and also some kind of elusive sweetness. Palate: A delightful blend, first of green apple, dates, honey and sherry. Then peat takes over. Finish: Smokey and peaty, giving way to licorice & white pepper. With water: Mellows in positive way. Still pepper in the finish but sweeter in the palate. Score: 88 / 89 (with water) Jim Color: Pale straw. Nose: PEAT!! Smoke and salt, like a beachy bonfire, with hints of seaweed. Eventually there are notes of malt and dried fruit. Palate: Boom! Starts the peat and smoke. Then comes the sweet honey, vanilla and faint butterscotch. It eventually leads to… Finish: Hot! Peppery finish with long, clovey heat. Then lingering with waves of sweet honey and vanilla. With water: Brings balance to the heat. Softens the nose. Score: 90 / 90 (with water)
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