Nose: Fresh barley grist, brandy, apple eau-de-vie, cider vinegar. The nose is more maritime than smoky and has a sweet, winey edge. There is an herbal, grassy note as well which becomes more obvious over time and with reduction. Palate: It has a good deal of pleasant, soft smoke right from the start and this builds in intensity as it moves into development and on to the finish. It's sweet and a little spicy with emerging stone fruits, marmalade and citrus peel (grapefruit, orange). There is a salty maritime quality to the palate just like the nose. The texture is full but not oily. Finish: Medium/Long. Brine, marmalade and lingering smoke. This is an interesting whisky that I initially hated but which I have come to appreciate over time. On first opening it seemed very brash, sour and bitter. In fact I opened it to pour for a tasting event but decided not to use it after taking a test sip. I’ve been slowly working my way through the bottle over the last two months and now it is down to about half full it has lost the sharp edges and gained poise. Both nose and palate are straightforward. I would not call this a particularly complex whisky but it presents a pleasant, balanced profile that has retained a fresh, crisp quality while gaining depth over time. As you get used to it you do sense that it is all about a simple marriage of barley and good cognac cask, and it's refreshing in that simplicity. It is also best without reduction as adding water makes this whisky drift in a homogenous, generic direction. It’s not horrible when watered, and it does gain some sweetness to balance the briny qualities, but it’s better neat. It’s a good whisky that is worth trying if you find it for a reasonable price, and particularly if you are a Kilchoman fan. However I would not urge anyone to actively seek it out and if you have a bottle in your stash it’s one to open soon rather than saving it for a special occasion. “Good” : 83/100 (3.5 stars)