Kilchoman Red Wine Cask Matured (2017 Edition)

Absolutely deliciously sinful. Thanks to @Telex for a bonus sample in our trading team. This is layers of bacon, brine, dark fruits. The red wine really adds a nice dimension here. I think Kilchoman is probably one of the few distilleries that I’ve consistently given a 4 or 5 ( along with Springbank, Macallan, and Ardbeg). I had only a sample, but I’m definitely going to look into getting a full bottle.

I'm in love! Nothing but adoration for this dram. The nose brings fantastic peat, pork belly, bacon, caramel, fat sizzling on a wood stove. The Douro Valley cask is very nicely present here. Floral properties like roses show up in time. Coastal brine and a sweet tomato too.... Wow! The palate brings smoked barbecue, balanced with the sweetness and a lot of peat remains. Even at 50%ABV, it's not hot. A couple drops of water on it will not kill it either. Reminiscent of a Lagavulin 16 blended with a Glendronach 15. I don't know what Kilchoman is doing to make a younger whisky taste like this, but kudos to them. I have to give it a 4.75. This finish is long and has sherry notes, woody tones, earthy peat and campfire. The theme of this dram is "Magic" by The Cars. What a classic!

Ah the great Kilchoman run at my favourite whiskey bar continues. For just over $20USD I got to try this, Hazelbank 13 yr Olorosso, Springbank local barley 11 year and a 2004 Connoisseurs choice. Outstanding as none disappointed. What I like about this place is you can keep a list of what you want to try pop in and ask them. This one they had just got in, it wasn't even on the bar floor and the staff themselves hadn't tried...after they got it out of storage and I got stuck in a few more joined me :-). It was a tough choice between the Hazelburn and the Kilchoman. Both were great, I got a faint ashy hint, red wine berries from this one. Goes for $90USD here which is fair. Not sure if I prefer this or the sanaig. Call it a tie. 4.5 I'll give it. Update: After procuring a bottle soon after my initial review 3 years later as part of clearing out my whisky collection to friends and auction I kept this as my last bottle. As i headed in a brief period of abstinence I reluctantly parted with the bottle to remove temptation. Amazingly at auction it didn't sell with people chasing the big names Macallan, Ardbeg etc. The auctioneer offered to buy it for cost but I thought na its fate. I had by that time resumed drinking so took it back, sent the auctioneer a couple of samples and finished the entire bottle in 2 weeks. Long story short it was just as good as i remembered and very happy i consumed vs sold!

Bought for €95 in Netherlands. I'll save it for a good occasion.