Kilchoman from Islay and with something exotic
Happy Kilchoman Day 2026! We have two samples on the table for this celebratory event, one that is a 100 % Islay Kilchoman, while the other is influenced by something more exotic: Mezcal! We have seen this cask variant come up more and more throughout the releases. My opinion is that Mezcal seems to work quite nicely with peated whisky. Let us see if the same applies for Kilchoman then!
Kilchoman 11 years old, 100 % Islay, bottled at 50 % abv
First things first: Well, this expression is of course also a bit exotic, as it is made up from 16 ex-oloroso sherry butts. Vintages used are 2011, 2012 and 2013 and the whole was bottled on 29 September 2025, so probably shortly before even that 2013 stuff was turning 12 years old. But when it is ready, it is ready, right Kilchoman?
Upon Sipping: This is just delightful from the start. A strong mix of ozone and dried figs. Lots and lots of peat smoke, and deeper down a hint of red cherries. Some light meaty, barbecue aroma cannot be denied either. The balance is almost … confident? Kilchoman makes this all look, smell and feel way too easy. But let’s have a sip! The palate is covered in sugary sweet sherry and peat, with quite a scrumptious bite from the wood. This Kilchoman has teeth! Somehow, the Kilchoman 100 % Islay has always struck me as tad more smooth compared to other expressions. Maybe this is the influence of purely malting everything yourself? I actually prefer it this way. With a little bit of water, you can pick up some farmy notes on a summer’s day, but all in modesty. The taste is more sweet but offers depth now, with all ranging from roasted chestnuts to oranges and smoky barbecue sauce.
Word to the Wise: A very mature Kilchoman. The 100 % Islay is of course dominated by the sherry wood, and quite a contrast with those much younger early editions of this classic from Kilchoman. This expression is the proud jewel in the crown of this farm distillery.
Score: 88 points.
Kilchoman 5 years old, European Tour 2026, bottled at 50 % abv
First things first: Matured for 5 years and bottled on 23 October 2025, this Kilchoman comes from an ex-Mezcal cask.
Upon Sipping: Extremely pale in colour! The smell is just heaven on earth. Literally, earth! Lots of mud and earth and lemon infused peat smoke. Kilchoman at a young age is unsurpassed. I am not immediately picking up on the mezcal, which probably shows why it goes so well with peated single malt. It fits. The arrival on the palate is a bit modest, but that makes it easy to keep the liquid on the tongue for a while. It is like firing up an engine, with every second it starts roaring louder, more intense, and this is where a dry note from mezcal influences takes over. The peat is unleashed as soon as you swallow, with an extremely long, smouldering lengthy finish. With water: there we go, the typical meaty smells arise. It also helps to make this Kilchoman on mezcal taste a little less dry on the tongue, even though I cannot wash it away completely. Strong lemon aftertaste now. On repeated sniffing, I pick up some purple flowers. Interesting side show to the pretty straightforward peat show.
Word to the Wise: We can slowly start to acknowledge that peat and mezcal are a fabulous combination, and this Kilchoman for the European Tour underlines that powerfully!
Score: 88 points.