Is there anything better than Kilchoman?

There are great moments in one person’s life… and tasting Kilchoman is one of these :) #serious

The Kilchoman stand was strangely empty on The Whisky Show 2013 so I went there to get good whisky with a complete lack of social interaction. They had there the whole range of bottles they placed for sale on 2013 plus a special single cask bottling for The Whisky Show that was for sale short after the show at The Whisky Exchange.

So these were the whiskies I tasted

Kilchoman 100% Islay 3rd Edition

“Young, quite young but still tasty and interesting. I am not a big fan of the Kilchoman 100% Islay range”

89

The eagerly awaited third release of Kilchoman's 100% Islay and it hasn't proved to be the third difficult album. The barley is grown, malted, distilled, matured and bottled at the distillery. The whisky has been aged in a combination of fresh and refill bourbon barrels, obtained from Buffalo Trace, for over 4 years.
TODO: Check if strength is 40% or 50%

This dram has a fino-like color.

Nose (88): more than average. peat, citrus, honey, salt, vanilla.

Palate (90): powerful, oily. peat, honey, vanilla, earth, fruity.

Finish (90): longer than average. peat.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Kilchoman 100% Islay - 3rd Edition with 89 points over 100.

Kilchoman Machir Bay 2013

“Fantastic peat punch on a complex taste Kilchoman”

90

The second release of Kilchoman's ongoing Machir Bay whisky, bottled in early 2013. It's a vatting of four and five year old whisky matured in first fill bourbon casks, married and then finished in Oloroso sherry butts for four weeks before bottling. From the little sip we tried in early March 2013 it's another cracker.

This dram has a fino-like color.

Nose (90): more than average. peat, honey, malt, spices, vanilla, salt.

Palate (91): powerful, oily. peat, earth, honey, spices, floral, pepper.

Finish (90): longer than average. peat, spices.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Kilchoman Machir Bay 2013 Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky with 90 points over 100.

Kilchoman 2007 Vintage

“Some hints of sherry on a delightful peated Kilchoman. Quite recommended”

90

This dram has a fino-like color.

Nose (91): more than average. peat, honey, spices, fruity, nuts, vanilla.

Palate (90): powerful, oily. peat, honey, salt, vanilla, ground coffee beans.

Finish (90): longer than average. peat, vanilla.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Kilchoman 2007 Vintage with 90 points over 100.

Kilchoman 2008 Bourbon Cask for The Whisky Show 2013

“Absolutely lovely Kilchoman. A single cask pleasure”

92

Bottled just 9 days before its 5th birthday, this 2008 vintage Kilchoman was released especially for The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show 2013.

This dram has a gold-like color.

Nose (91): more than average. toffee, vanilla, peat, citrus.

Palate (92): powerful, oily. peat, honey, vanilla, spices, salt.

Finish (92): longer than average. peat, spices.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Kilchoman 2008 / Bourbon Cask for The Whisky Show 2013 Islay Whisky with 92 points over 100.

Miguel says…

What I can say?! Damn! I have been waiting to write this article until I were able to buy the Kilchoman 2007 but John Hansell from Whisky Advocate named Kilchoman 2007 Islay whisky of the year. Thank you John :\ #damn Now I will have to compete with hundreds of bottle hunters for a decent dram at a decent price.

The single cask was also quite nice but the price makes it less interesting ( unless you can afford it ).

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