Sampling The Kilchoman 2009 Vintage Single Malt – Bliss In A Glass!

Kilchoman 2009 Vintage

Kilchoman, Islay’s Farm Distillery, has released their 2009 Vintage limited edition, an eight year old single malt and one of the oldest expressions to be bottled since the distillery was founded in 2005.

Kilchoman 2009 Vintage is bottled at 46% ABV

The Vintage range is released by-annually from Kilchoman, with these whiskies spearheading the distilleries releases in terms of maturation. This will be the fourth release since the 2006 Vintage was bottled back in 2011. All three previous releases have been exclusively matured in ex bourbon barrels from Buffalo Trace distillery, whereas the 2009 Vintage is a combination of carefully selected oloroso sherry butts distilled in 2008 and bourbon barrels distilled in both 2008 and 2009.

The evolution of Kilchoman single malt is well represented through our Vintage range. Now at eight years of maturation, the balance and depth of character coming through on both the nose and the palate is incredible.

The oloroso sherry influence in the 2009 Vintage compared to the previous releases has given this whisky a different dimension with layered fruit and added sweet notes.
– Anthony Wills: Kilchoman Founder and Managing Director

Founded in 2005, Kilchoman is one of the smallest distilleries in Scotland and was the first distillery to be built on Islay for 125 years. Kilchoman, the only independently owned Islay distillery is most famous as the only distillery to produce a portion of it’s whisky from barley grown onsite, completing all stages of the whisky-making process themselves using traditional farm distillery methods.

Kilchoman 2009 Vintage is bottled at 46% ABV and retails for around £67.00.

So, what did I think? Here are my tasting notes …

Tasting Notes – Kilchoman 2009 Vintage (46%)

Colour: Pale straw.

Nose: Fantastic, earthy, smokey peat. Creamy vanilla sweetness, a touch of green apples.

Palate: Sweet vanilla, charred wood, smokey peat, a little salt.

Finish: Clean, sweet, long, smokey finish with a little tobacco.

Overall: If you can manage to keep your hands off it (!) This dram gets better and better the longer you leave it.

So, be in no rush as the 2009 is well worth savouring. Conjuring up images of quietly sitting and watching glowing embers on a cosy night in with little to do except sip and relax.

Bliss!