Kilchoman Original Cask Strength (2016 Release)

This scotch is infinitely unique, esoteric even. There’s a lot going on, and it’s all intense. The nose is an anchor to this intensity, sporting a nice lemony clarity, with undertones of peat moss, hay, nutritional yeast, ocean spray, and chestnut. The palate is slightly less integrated, with a vivacious array of flavors: yellow fruit, cardamom, roasted Kalamata olives, hints of chocolate, and salted cantaloupe. A dynamic barrel spice reveals notes of fresh ginger and Ceylon cinnamon and lends itself to a tangy addition to an otherwise oily mouthfeel. The smoky and cacao-like finish is a slow and hearty burn that you feel in your chest. While I live for an intense and truly singular whisky, I also enjoyed it with the rare addition of a few drops of water, which mellowed it down a bit. The nose exchanges that clarity for a more iodine feel. The palate becomes more muted, elevating sweeter cinnamon and cantaloupe notes along with candied ginger. A sweet pipe smoke finish rounds it out. This is a bottle that forces patience and plenty of space, kind of like a dear friend that you love and appreciate but whose energy requires some downtime in between visits (am I that friend…?).

Rating: 15/23 N: Leaving it a few minutes, I get some rich meat with bitter smoke, a layer of something herbal starting to go rancid (slightly), a hint of chocolate sweetness, and a thin layer of toasty grain. There is though also a prominent tartness that's like a lemony grain whisky with a bit of a bite to it. That fades the longer I leave this in the glass though as the smoke and other scents rise out. An herbal character builds, though it doesn't have much definition. Overall, this comes across as quite balanced after 10 minutes in the glass, but it never becomes very complex. The fullness does at least improve substantially though. P: Pretty rich and full without letting its malt be overly sweet. There's smoke with some peat letting bitter herbs show. Some sweet, moderately rich malt up front, but it quickly fades. Some spices cause lots of prickling. Sweet vanilla nectar with a squirt of lemon and a note of woody bitterness all mixed in with creek water. A bit of earthiness. Toasted grains as this progresses and faint anise later on. I little roast chicken at points F: Smoke with sweet water, roast chicken, black pepper, some toasty grain that borders on malt. - Conclusion - It's pretty standard aged Kilchoman, which is to say that it tastes like a mild distillate has been aged for a moderate time and it isn't all that interesting. That said, the higher proof really does help this show some more flavor and not taste watered down. I wish the 2007 vintage (13/23) had been bottled at this strength since it really needed some more definition. So I'm saying that this is better than Kilchoman 2007. Compass Box Glassgow Blend (14/23) is mellower and perhaps more muddled than this is, but it shows better barrel aging and is more approachable. I think I like the character here better with its more distinct flavors and big smokiness. On the other hand, Amrut Peated (17/23, though maybe it should be a 16/23) tastes younger and sweeter, but shows plenty of depth and complexity with nice balance and none of the aggressiveness that this has. The Amrut is definitely better. And despite its substantially lower proof, Laphroaig 10 is also substantially fuller and richer than this is. This is in the 14 to 16 range, though I think 14 or 15 is most likely. It's a 15.

Love the smokiness of this scotch

quarter cask, smooth intense and rich, Good smells released with water

Peaty and a touch of sweet

This is A LOT better than the 2014 version. This is a nice earthy Lagavulin-like peat. The nose brings bright oranges, vanilla, salted pretzels, mango, jasmine, and peat smoke. The palate is fantastic, even neat, and brings barbecue, creme brulee, bakery pastry, almonds, marzipan, cashews, peanut brittle, smoky peat, white grapes, pear, candied apples, caramel, and molasses. Sheesh it's damn good. Long finish and a heavy mouth coat, so what are you waiting for? 4.75 ... only age would make this better. The theme to this dram should be a masterpiece, but powerful. "Heaven and Hell" by Black Sabbath will work.

In my personal humble opinion, Kilchoman is one of the rare few distilleries that I’ve consistently ranked either a 4 or 5 star. I think aside from Springbank, Ardbeg, Yoichi, Yamazaki and Lagavulin, there really isn’t another that just time after time performs up there. Thanks to @LeeEvolved, I got to try this Islay beauty. Lee, I know you’ll disapprove, but I had to pull a @Generously_Paul and add water. Was way too intense for me otherwise. With water, nose is quite interesting; marzipan, engine grease, seaweed. Fresh and vibrant. Palette comes alive with salted kippers ( herring that’s smoked over wood chips). Peppery finish, not hot, but like sishito peppers. Another solid 4 star performer for me. Thanks Lee! ( on a side note, Kilchoman just came out with their portwood edition...will be interesting to see the effect of sweet port to its briny style).