Kilchoman Spec's pick small batch No.1

This adds a little bit of flair to the solid core Kilchoman malt. There's some fruit to pick up from the Calvados cask but its masked nicely behind the salty smoke character. Fallen apples fermenting on the ground join the farmey unpasteurized cream notes of Machir Bay. Charred vanilla and maritime rope lashings in the finish with heavily seasoned wood. The smoke is not typical Islay long slow burn bbq meats more of a seared steak vibe. Yes its young but still provide plenty of flavor and depth to enjoy. Overall I really like this but don't think its worth the price bump over Machir Bay. Nonetheless another quality offering form Kilchoman ......87/100

“70% bourbon barrel, 25% Calvados cask, 5% sherry cask” Lots of apple and pear notes in the beginning along with some wood spice, hay and iodine. Later notes have more malt and are char and oaky vanilla from the bourbon cask. the sherry is somewhat negligible and I barely detect it through the bourbon and Calvados. finish has notes of salted cashew, satisfying maritime peat smoke that blends well with a dryer, tannic finish. really cool dram Kilchoman has here. Would be interested to try some more Calvados forward single malts.