Scott_E
Kilchoman Red Wine Cask Matured (2017 Edition)
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed
April 2, 2018 (edited December 19, 2019)
Machir Bay was my introduction To Kilchoman and I was shocked by the quality within the 4 year youthfulness. Since then I have been a fan. Having several samples and bottles, they have produced more quality whisky than not. Now, thanks to @Telex, I can try one more.
The peat aromas are not smokey but earthen and boggy soaked in a salty-sweet maritime brine. Maraschino cherries, Challah bread vanilla’d French Toast in maple syrup, and cigar tobacco.
The palate is sweet but not overly done arriving in a medium weighted body. Sweet BBQ sauce on smoked baby-back ribs with citrus zest. A fruity, raspberry jam fills the body of the palate as it draws to the finish.
The finish is drying and with a touch of peat, marmalade and Concord grapes though it’s somewhat short in length.
A very enjoyable dram. Easy to sit back and sip. This is perfect as a perfect after dinner cordial following a rich meal given its sweet, light nature. Kilchoman is proving themselves as quality distiller. If only the price was more approachable (but nowadays I find myself saying that about every whisk(e)y. Again, thanks @Telex for bringing this to the group. [89/100][Tasted: 3/31/18]
Create Account
or
Sign in
to comment on this review
Unfortunately I fly twice a week mainly on turbo props which aren't as safe... :-(
I believe last year world wide was the first year no one died on a commercial jet airliner which is amazing given the billions of miles travelled. Over a million were killed on the roads..one every 25 seconds... Not that stats help fear of flying :-)
@Rick_M - I don’t need encouragement. That’s why I chose to stay in central Virginia- 2 hours west are mountains, skiing. 2 hours east are beaches and ocean, 2 hours north more people per square ft than NYC, 2 hours south more cows per square mile than Oklahoma. It’s the perfect amalgam of Earth, especially if you hate people, lol.
@PBMichiganWolverine @LeeEvolved - My only close call was an engine fire before we took off. These stories should encourage Lee. :)
@Rick_M @LeeEvolved it’s scary like heck. I fly 2x/month, that stat alone is ask for an issue. So, last year, my plane takes from Chennai to go to Mumbai. We keep circling and circling, instead of flying in a straight line to Mumbai. Pilot then announces the wheels are jammed, and he’s trying to figure out how to land the plane. That’s when you pray to all the gods...Jesus, Allah, Krishna, Buddha, and Yahweh...one of them hopefully will hear you
@LeeEvolved. 😊😊😊
@Rick_M - yeah, but dying and plummeting to your death in a fireball from 35,000ft are 2 totally different things. Plus, what if the person next to me is a total asshole? Talk about insult to (ultimate) injury...
@LeeEvolved Yeah i wasn't a big fan of the younger springbanks myself but the 15 year was awesome. Try that one and if you don't like that you can retire from SB tasting. Also their Hazelburn range. The 13 year olorosso was really good.
@LeeEvolved - I like my father’s philosophy. He would say, “What’s the worst that can happen? So you die; what’s the big deal?” :)
@Rick_M - it’s not so much my whisky family as it’s my fear of flying that keeps me from jaunts across the globe. I’ve seen what they do to unruly passengers and the amount of whisky I’d need to calm me before and during a flight would probably kill a normal man, lol (not bragging, but yeah I kinda am).
@SolanaRoots - I had a sample of the 2016 Loch Gorm last night. Outstanding! I also think the Sanaig is great!
I think 1 trip to Campbeltown will cure Lee. Unfortunately, he no money left to take the trip. He has to support a large family of whisky drinkers. :)
@SolanaRoots : My top Kilchoman was the Loch Gorm. Sanig and this are very good with the edge to Sanig.
Ha! @PBMichiganWolverine You keep tempting me to open my SB16 LB, but I must resist. I shall not give in to the power of the dark force.
@SolanaRoots that 16 yr old local barley was amazing. I feel like pulling a @Joe_C and invoking my powers of Distiller Conversation Starter of the Year and talk up that SB so Lee can go on a wild hunt
Hey @PBMichiganWolverine - gotta find a way to get @LeeEvolved a sample of that SB Local Barley 16yr expression that you rave about
@PBMichiganWolverine - I’m hearing you guy’s thoughts with that one. Saving it till last. I’m basing my opinion on 2-3 SB’s and I don’t recommend anyone listen to me about them. People ask and I just tell them from my experiences. I know I need to try more. I’ll get there, I think.
@LeeEvolved that 24 yr old SB single sherry is pretty good. If that doesn’t make one a believer in SB, then it’s just not liking SB profile
@SolanaRoots - I actually haven’t had many SB’s: the 10 and 12yo and a couple of wine finished ones. I wasn’t impressed with the cask strength 12 so I haven’t bought many either. I have a bottle of the 21yo single barrel that I bought based on reviews, but it’s more for the vault than for opening. Who knows, if I get to try some more my opinion may change but I’m not actively searching for SB bottles. It’s probably my loss, but oh well...
Top review @Scott_E - where would you rank this among your Kilchoman favorites? Hey @LeeEvolved - curious which Springbanks you’ve tried or better yet which Springbanks you’ve had a bottle to yourself to get fully acquainted
@PBMichiganWolverine - I still don’t have or understand you guys’ love affair with Springbank. I think they are solid, but I don’t see the constant 4.5-5 stars for every release.
Amen my brothers! :D
I must concur.
Can’t ever go wrong with Kilchoman. I think for me personally, there’s only 3 distilleries that I seem to give either 4 or 5 stars across all their product offerings—-Kilchoman, Springbank, and Ardbeg