Kilchoman Cognac Cask (2023 Edition)

Nose: Fresh barley grist, brandy, apple eau-de-vie, cider vinegar. The nose is more maritime than smoky and has a sweet, winey edge. There is an herbal, grassy note as well which becomes more obvious over time and with reduction. Palate: It has a good deal of pleasant, soft smoke right from the start and this builds in intensity as it moves into development and on to the finish. It's sweet and a little spicy with emerging stone fruits, marmalade and citrus peel (grapefruit, orange). There is a salty maritime quality to the palate just like the nose. The texture is full but not oily. Finish: Medium/Long. Brine, marmalade and lingering smoke. This is an interesting whisky that I initially hated but which I have come to appreciate over time. On first opening it seemed very brash, sour and bitter. In fact I opened it to pour for a tasting event but decided not to use it after taking a test sip. I’ve been slowly working my way through the bottle over the last two months and now it is down to about half full it has lost the sharp edges and gained poise. Both nose and palate are straightforward. I would not call this a particularly complex whisky but it presents a pleasant, balanced profile that has retained a fresh, crisp quality while gaining depth over time. As you get used to it you do sense that it is all about a simple marriage of barley and good cognac cask, and it's refreshing in that simplicity. It is also best without reduction as adding water makes this whisky drift in a homogenous, generic direction. It’s not horrible when watered, and it does gain some sweetness to balance the briny qualities, but it’s better neat. It’s a good whisky that is worth trying if you find it for a reasonable price, and particularly if you are a Kilchoman fan. However I would not urge anyone to actively seek it out and if you have a bottle in your stash it’s one to open soon rather than saving it for a special occasion. “Good” : 83/100 (3.5 stars)

Lately Kilchoman has released some limited expressions, that experiment with different cask maturations, such as fino sherry, mezcal and now this very interesting Cognac cask. It has been bottled at 50%abv to bring most flavors into the final decanter. The label and the box are simply stunning, with a "Colonel Mustard from Clue" yellow color. On the nose, it is incredibly complex!; it starts with a pair of new socks, but then it releases chamomile, herbs, flowers and apricots. Plastic, wet grass, flowers, merthiolate and a hospital gauze and tape. Letting it breath will make it more fruitier. Lemon, apple juice, white wine. After a first sip, the aroma changed into lotion and medicinal notes. It has released some spiciness, like a notorious note of red chilli. Really well crafted. On the palate, it has only three notes, but they are very well delivered. Apricots, salt and fruit punch. Aftertaste is very rewarding, a little dry though. Cotton. Sugar and salt. Apricots. Overall, this is a super enjoyable whisky, and i feel it is a little unfair that my score system will not make it justice, since it fells better than the 92 points that i am giving to it. A very nice offering from Islay's farm distillery.

Nose: Pears, apples, honey, soft peat Palate: Apple crumble with a bit of honey and peat smoke Finish: Fruit and hints of baking spices with soft smoke Very tasty, fruity and complex 7.5/10

Nose: Creosote, maritime, orange W/water: fireplace, coal Palate: orange marmalade, butter, burnt orange peel Aftertaste: wet coal, kamfer

Smooth, some smoke. Full and rich.

Complex, peat, meat, smoke