Kilchoman 7 Year Old 2012 STR Cask Matured

This brand new Kilchoman matured on STR casks. STR is short for ‘shaved, toasted, re-charred’, so that gives you an idea what happened to the casks. After 7 years of maturation no less than 14.500 bottles were released, the whisky cut to 50%. One bottle will set you back between 75 and 100 EUR, depending on where you shop. Seems expensive, but typical Kilchoman.

The nose is a bit atypical for Kilchoman, I’d say. Next to some red fruit, a hnit of banana, vanilla and caramel, I also get a cold barbecue (the next day), something metallic, something salty (way in the back) and some bakery spices. After a while it becomes somewhat umami with a drop of balsamic. Roast beef! Atypical, I’ve said it already.

It is oily, sweet and soft upon arrival, but quickly the peat kicks in. It becomes quite cheeky with a big smokiness, molded wood, wine vinegar and sea salt. The metallic note I had on the nose, lingers on the palate as well.

The finish is rather short and returns to sweetness.

Quite an interesting Kilchoman, sure, but not a top dram in my book. Feels like it does not really know where it is going. Thanks, Manny!

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