Kilchoman Machir Bay 2012

The reviewed bottle has been open for one week. My great thanks to @PMessinger for the reviewed bottle. There is no age statement on Machir Bay

Nose: light smoke, with moderatley heavy peat, a little petrol and a little sea-air; well-integrated, with noticeable malt. The peat is perched on a balance point between sweet and bitter, as is the nose as a whole. Simple but nice. Added water broadens the nose and brings out sweetness. This nose is good with water. Score: 21.5/25 points

Taste: much stronger flavours in the mouth, including lots of anise/black licorice and brine. The peaty flavours take over with the barley-malt relegated to the background. There is some range in the peaty flavours though, which adds dimension. Added water homogenises the palate and makes it richer and more vibrant. The balance here is mostly toward the bitter, with a little sweet balance. Score: 21.5/25 points

Finish: ashy peat lingers very long in the mouth. The finish moves even more strongly bitter. Water mellows the finish and brings out more of a sweet balance. Score: 21.5/25 points

Balance: this is a bitter whisky mostly, but it has enough sweet to add some contrast. Those who do not like the bitter will not care for this. I've had the 2011 Release Machir Bay and would rate it at 92 points. This 2012 Machir Bay is less complex, less balanced, and less vibrant, but still very nice. I prefer drinking this 2012 release Machir Bay with water. Score: 21.5/25 points

Total Sequential Score: 86/100 points

Strength: strong flavours throughout, particularly with water added. Score: 23.5/25 points

Quality: good to very good quality of flavours, though it is hard to taste the malt through the peat and brine. Score: 21.5/25 points

Variety: just adequate variety of flavours derived mostly from the peat and brine. Score: 20.5/25 points

Harmony: adequate harmony, as long as you like bitter. Score: 20.5/25 points

Total Non-Sequential Score: 86/100 points

Comment: the 2011 Release of Kilchoman Machir Bay impressed me very greatly. This 2012 iteration is nice enough, but not a star

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