Kilchoman has released their latest edition in their 100% Islay range, Scotland’s only Single Farm Single Malt.
The Kilchoman 100% Islay 9th Edition has been distilled from their 2007 and 2009 barley crops and is a vatting of 43 ex-bourbon barrels matured for over 9 years in their on-site dunnage warehouses.
Bottled at 50% abv with a total bottle release of just 12,000 bottles this Edition is bound to be popular AND disappear off the shelves quickly!
The 100% Islay range has been released annually since 2011 and their whiskies are distilled solely from barley grown in the distillery’s surrounding fields.
This barley is then malted, distilled, matured and eventually bottled – ALL on site – an unmatched, unbroken chain of creation from barley to bottle!
With barley origins, varieties and farm distillers one of the industry’s hot topics, their 100% Islay range remains Scotland’s only Single Farm Single Malt.
The 9th Edition marks a return to the bourbon barrel maturation of previous 100% Islay releases. (Last year’s 8th edition contained roughly 50% sherry maturation.)
Our 100% Islay spirit pairs seamlessly with ex-bourbon barrels. The lower peating level (20ppm) allows the natural floral sweetness of the spirit to shine through whilst a higher age profile adds layers of overripe tropical fruit and stewed plums whilst the high ABV makes it no lightweight.
I’m delighted with how the 9th Edition has come together and as ever, I look forward to hearing people’s opinions.
– Anthony Wills: Kilchoman Founder and Master Distiller
The Kilchoman 100% Islay 9th Edition will retail for approximately £71.94 and is available now.
Kilchoman (@Kilchomanwhisky) has very kindly sent me a sample to try – thanks Kilchoman!
So, what did I think? Here are my tasting notes …
Tasting Notes: The Kilchoman 100% Islay – 9th Edition (50%)
No chill filtration or colouring – peating level of 20ppm.
Colour: Pale straw. Nose: Sweet smoke aromas with soflty burning wood, peat and tempered by crisp green apples. Palate: A light, thin dram with some dry smoke, sweet vanilla and subtle smokey peat. There’s citrus fruits and apple in there as well. Finish: Plenty of peppery spice comes through very quickly and powerfully! A pleasant finish with a little salt at the end. Overall: This dram gets better and better! |
Kilchoman is available to buy from these Whisky Merchants:-
- Master of Malt
- The Whisky Exchange
- Edencroft Fine Wine & Spirit Specialists
- Abbey Whisky
- The Whisky Barrel
Timeline of 100% Islay releases:-
9th Edition (2019): 43 fresh ex-bourbon barrels matured for a minimum of nine years.
8th Edition (2018): 23 ex-bourbon barrels and 7 oloroso sherry butts filled between 2008 and
2012.
7th Edition (2017): fresh and refill bourbon barrels filled in 2010.
6th Edition (2016): fresh and refill bourbon barrels filled in 2010.
5th Edition (2015): fresh ex-bourbon barrels filled in 2009 and 2010.
4th Edition (2014): fresh and refill ex-bourbon barrels filled in 2009 and 2010.
3rd Edition (2013): fresh and refill bourbon barrels filled in 2009.
2nd Edition (2012): fresh ex-bourbon barrels filled in 2010.
Inaugural 100% Islay Release (2011): fresh bourbon barrels filled in 2009.
Notable awards:-
• Kilchoman’s exceptional quality was recognised at the prestigious International
Whisky Competition (IWC) when Anthony Wills was named Master Distiller of the
Year 2013.
• In 2016 both core expressions won major awards with Sanaig named Best Single
Malt Scotch Whisky – no age statement at the IWSC and Machir Bay came first as
Best Islay Single Malt Scotch in the International Whisky Competition.
• In 2018 Sanaig was voted best peated whisky at the Whisky World Cup.
• This year both core expressions were awarded gold medals at The Spirits Business
Scotch Whisky Masters.
• Kilchoman won Malt Advocates Artisan Whisky of the Year 2011, only three years
after the first bottling was released.