Kilchoman 100% Islay (11th Edition)

The last dram i had in the Scottish mainland was actually a whisky from Islay, which was my next destination, an exciting one. Kilchoman does everything right. Since the day it was born back in 2005, it has lived to the best Islay standards of greatness. I have managed to try this 11th edition, called "100% Islay", a 50%abv whisky, which has grown, matured and bottled in the famous archipelago. On the nose, a stinky, beautiful peat. It has a pond aroma, malted barley and a chocolate that has fallen behind some cotton socks, lol. Gauze and medicinal tape, Bbq sauce; a recently cut sawdust, and gooseberries. On the palate, very fruity for a peated single malt. Prunes, salt. Farm fruits: Grapefruit. Hay, almonds and chocolate. Some toffeenas well. Delicious. Aftertaste was sublime. Charcoal, salt. Its like opening the mouth when a sea wave comes. Pepper spice; very maritime. Gorgeous feeling of Nerf toys and a fresh can of Tennis balls. Overall, this is a very complex dram, with and incredible balance an truly remarkable flavors. Actually the nose is not as spectacular as the palate and aftertaste, but it still is very good. If you can find it, grab it. My score for this one is 95 over 100.

Nose - Salt, clean campfire smoke, minerals, seaweed, preserved lemon, warm toasted raisins Taste - Salt, black peppercorns, sweet smoke, ashy minerals, smoked raisins, preserved lemons, lightly savory smoke Finish - Lingering warmth/heat, black pepper, salt, ashy raisins, sweet smoked beef jerky Score - 86/100 Final Thoughts - This was a very pleasant pour, nice clean smoke, very campfire by the sea kind of vibe to it. The smoke in this one is very clean and has a nice mineral vibe to it. It's like if you heated up some rocks in a campfire and then threw some lemon peels in the fire too. Off to the side is some sweet beef jerky and raisins boiling away in some sweet white wine. Very nice vibe, but nothing too complex or amazing. A perfectly good dram to enjoy by the campfire or maybe with a charcuterie platter featuring some good cured meats and some smoked cheeses. Would I drink it if offered? - Yes Would I specifically order it? - Maybe Would I buy a bottle? - Maybe NOTE - All reviews are done without factoring in price.

(Good Spirits Co. Glasgow – Virtual Whisky Tasting, 1st October 2021). Nose: Vegetal, light peat, floral, smoke, salt, seaweed, Deep Heat / Germoline Palate: Smoke, sweet, gentle peat, green/hay, honey, nutty Finish: Medium finish. Fisherman’s Friend lozenges, salted nuts. Very sweet/sugary. Some dried fruit. More peat on the aftertaste. Matured in 26 ex-bourbon barrels and 7 ex-Oloroso butts chosen from yrs 2007-2011 (excluding 2008). This is a lovely, gentle peated dram. Very easy to drink and enjoy. Nice dram. Came second out of the six drams, with 30% (3 votes) of the final vote for favourite of the night. 100% (10 votes) of those present said they enjoyed the whiskey.

This is the pour after the neck pour (breast pour?): Very nice. A bit Ardbegish, if I had to compare… Nose: Nice and sweet peat. Quite fruity. Apple Cider. Brine. A hint of rubber. Vanilla. Sherry. Very inviting! Palate: Smooth and sweet peat again. Smoked ham. The oak is integrated very well. I like it! Finish: Warm and smooth, and really long. Sweet peat again. So this definitely reaches the quality of Ardbeg Ten, maybe a bit sweeter. And even better!

A little peat on the nose, but an otherwise bland nose. Comes alive on the palette, Apricot, pine, smokey bbq. Some dried red fruits coming through from the sherry casks. Nice lingering finish.

Nose: Sweet and salty Palate: Smooth and creamy, delicate Finish: fine medium finish Sample from Horny Pony