Kilchoman Machir Bay (2015 Edition)

Islay's youngest distillery (ESTḌ 2005) presents its 'Machir Bay' NAS expression with 46% ABV, natural color and non-chill filtered. Fairly simple on the nose, you get earthy, dusty peat smoke with lime juice and honey. The arrival is fresh, slightly spirity but well-composed with sweet spices, dry peatiness and some salted peanuts. Tasting briny, peppery and aromatic in the development, the finish is clean with slowly fading notes of dark chocolate and smoked ham. Kilchoman is definitely getting there, though rather expensive for such a young whisky. RATING: 3.5/5.0 stars ≙ 84 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE

Out of the entry level medium peat Islay offerings, this is possibly my favorite. It noses beautifully, if a bit deceptively - only a little bit of smoke present, but plenty of vanilla and sea air, with hints of sawdust, damp earth, tropical fruit, and black pepper. The palate is at once sooty, sweet, and salty, as an earthy peatiness plays off the vanilla and sea salt, with a bit of tropical fruit salad off in the background. The finish is moderately long, slightly dry, and brings in those sawdust and pepper notes from the nose. Well worth seeking out!