About this winery

Kilchoman is a small family run farm distillery based on the rugged west coast of Islay. The distillery was established by Anthony Wills in 2005 and is the first distillery to be established on Islay in over 124 years. The idea was to build a new distillery which took whisky production back to its roots. Kilchoman produces its 100% Islay single malt from barley which is grown in fields surrounding the distillery and completes every stage of the whisky-making process at the distillery, including...

See the KILCHOMAN detail page for more information on this brand

Product notes

Anthony and Robin have hand-selected a total of 20 Fino Sherry Butts of which the spirit was distilled in 2018. Fino provides our spirit with an entirely alternative maturation style; one which isn’t often seen from the distillery with more emphasis typically placed on Oloroso sherry casks, predominantly used for our expressions of Sanaig and Loch Gorm. As ever, the Sherry butts were purchased from Bodega Jose y Miguel Martin (Spain) for their impeccable standard. Each cask selected for Fino Cask Matured has been chosen for its quality and individuality. Combining 20 of these casks together after a minimum of five years of maturation has developed a dry salinity which is balanced with a green fresh fruit influence and elongated delicate Islay peat smoke.

Tasting notes

Nose: Elegant, dry peat smoke on the initial nosing, gradually opens to the unmistakable fruity character of Kilchoman. The distinct influence from the Fino Sherry casks provides dry, smoked oak which balances with the smoke found in the heavily peated Kilchoman malt. A lasting aroma of sweet butterscotch as the whisky begins to open. Palate: Honeycomb sweetness can be found immediately on the palate, gradually giving way to rich toffee and caramel. The Kilchoman spirit brings together candied fruits and the fresh citrus found in the distillation. Flaked almonds and a delicate peat smoke remain throughout. Finish : Long-lasting considered finish combining the malty spirit of Kilchoman, with the ripened citrus fruit profile provided by the Fino Sherry casks. A subtle peat smoke which has coated the palate right through now shares the finish with hints of dark chocolate.