Kilchoman UK Small Batch No. 3

Review #004 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 49.1% Comments: NAS, ex-bourbon, ex-oloroso, ex-sauternes Tasted after: Kilchoman Loch Gorm Appearance (no score): Deep gold color. Swirling reveals a thick line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 15/20 Vanilla, smoke, tart kiwi, and the faintest amount of lemon zest. Palate: 34/50 Smokey, briny, grilled peaches, and something else that’s not necessarily honey but more like sweet mead. Finish: 32/30 Opens up a bit here, adds some unripened bitter white grapes and more honey, overall very sweet finish. With Water: Didn’t try with water unfortunately. Total: 81/100 Final thoughts: Glad I picked this bottle up while on a trip to Scotland, not as smoky as other Kilchomans I’ve tried and has a unique flavor profile, the higher ABV is a game changer for sure. Price: £60 Would recommend: yes Would buy: yes Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.

Another of Kilchoman exclusive releases, was the UK Batch 3, which was matured in a very precise way to drive all the flavors and aromas. It was actually matured 70% in a bourbon barrel; 5% in sherry butts and finally it has a  25% matured in sauternes wine. Bottled at 49.1%abv. On the nose, a little grainy and a little stinky. Tequila, salty and acid prunes. It is like watering an ashtray. Very ashy. After a first sip, the aroma changed into a more peachy and tropical nose but also dimmer. On the palate, very kind and gentle. A watery vanilla, super smooth. Ghostly ashes and pineapple juice. Dim Ginger. A second sip gave me apricot and toffee. Aftertaste followed the same rythm. Ginger and vanilla notes, salty. It felt dim overall; and that is why this might be my least favorite Kilchoman ever. Some of the notes felt watered down and it could definitively be better for a 49.1%abv dram. My score for it was 20 points on every criteria, leaving me with a score of 80 over 100.

Nose: Orange, light peat, spice Palate: Tart, slightly sweet, but very mild Finish: very soft I enjoyed this, but each time I come back to it, it seems to lose character.