Kilchoman 10th Anniversary

This Kilchoman was released in 2015 to commemorate the distillery's 10th anniversary. It is a vatting of ex-sherry and ex-bourbon casks that were filled between 2005 and 2012, and according to the description it contains some whisky from cask 1/2005, the first cask ever filled at Kilchoman. The total outturn was 3,000 bottles, available only at the distillery. This review refers to bottle no. 2,550 that I obtained during a visit to the distillery in October 2015.

The nose is quite smoky and malty, with plenty of cereal flavours to start with. Vanilla flavours come next, followed by notes of lemons and a hint of white pepper.

The palate is medium-bodied, spicy, and delicately smoky. Flavours of lemons and grapefruits develop next, followed by - again - white pepper and a grassy note.

The finish is quite long. The smoke has now turned into an ashy flavour that lasts to the very end, together with lemon flavours that now are somewhat subdued.

In my search for the one Kilchoman that ticks all the boxes for me I have finally been successful: this anniversary bottling has an enticing nose, a palate that very well combines smoky and fruity flavours, and great balance overall, and I have been enjoying every sip. My favourite Kilchoman bottling so far!

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