Kilchoman Fèis Ìle 2020

Nice dark and tropical. Kilchoman isn’t overly smoky but is very vegetal. Nose: Vanilla, Campfire Smoke, Peaches, Lychees, Iodine, Cherries, Red Apples, Coffee, Tar, Oranges, Pineapples, Kiwis, Milk Chocolate Palate: Smoke, Sea Salt, Oranges, Bacon, Vanilla, Green Pepper, Grass, Herbs, Cooked Agave, Orange Peels, Grapefruits, Bananas, Coconuts Finish: Smoke, Guava, Plantains, Vanilla, Pineapples, Papayas, Passion Fruit, Cherries, Apricots, Caramel

The second dram of my day off work, a rare event for me. Nose - sweet fruity elements. I almost want to go with pears and strawberry hints coming through at the end. There's a savory meat here, but the whisky doesn't fully turn into peat. It's actually rather unique and special. I can't believe this is just ex bourbon. Taste - Rich sweetness and a putty and lacquer come out on the finish. A very almost glue and smoke finish. The finish has oak spice and is long and lingering. There's a bit of medicinal notes in the mid palette. There isn't a lot here to discuss in terms of flavor. I get their overall base whisky profile but if anything this is making me think that even light sherry is a huge part of what makes their core so great as such young ages. All ex bourbon doesn't work as well for me. A really well put together CS 12 year old peated whisky but nothing special. Lets got 2.25, above average but to be frank the CS element doesn't add much here. It's just nothing to discuss but I can't imagine anyone doesn't enjoy it, but at the same time I can't imagine THIS is the Kilchoman you just want to keep coming back to.

"Smells like dry peated malt tastes" not the harsh smoke of some Islay whiskys. Rich, sweet, and bread on the palate.

Metallic smokey nose. Vanilla, chilli and creamy palate with a tail of sooty smoke