Tastes

Sherry dominates, dark fruit, with a slightly woody, bitter note on the finish. Medium body, ethanol isn't extremely well integrated. I don't love it, but it's not bad at the $85 or so/bottle price point.

Batch 2. Hot, ethanol on the nose. Had to let it air out to really get the green apple on the nose, but still needed a little water to calm down the palate. After that, I get caramel apple with a smoky and still slightly hot finish. I think this is the first Kilchoman I didn't particularly care for.

Dark fruit, oily, a little smoke, funk is present. Ethanol presence keeps it from being outstanding. Can't decide whether I like it more than the Local Barley, but presumably this isn't quite as overpriced.

Full-bodied and rich, port is front and center, but blend nicely with the smoke. Much better than the most recent Red I've had (Malbec), so I guess it's a return to form.

Not sure what inspired me to have a pour of this on a Tuesday evening, maybe I just wanted to keep having great whiskey... anyways, the first sip was like biting into a warm caramel apple, which with time evolves into cocoa and red wine. Thick and rich, aromas of bananas foster. Not sure what I'll do when this bottle is finally empty, one of the best things I've tasted...

Last of the bunch. Strong, but well-integrated, sherry presence that, along with the creaminess, comes across as blackberry cobbler with a nice hint of smoke. Nice thick mouthfeel. There's just the slightest hint of ethanol on the nose.

Cask 563323, bottled 08.2019 Time for the heavy hitters. Very subdued peat, age has broken down phenols to a nice lemon custard layer that's well integrated with what's left of the smoke. Very light salinity. The oily texture in this is a thing of beauty. One of the best malts I've had, and while pricey, it's head and shoulders above OB Laphroaig 27 at a similar price point.

Smoke is subdued by sherry cask. Fig, dried cherry, fruitcake. Full-bodied and rich. Little bit of meaty smoke on the finish.