Matt this is one of my favourite Islay expressions and when I visited the Islay distilleries a few years ago I was so impressed with Kilchoman. Outstanding! It is my favourite Kilchoman release. The use of Islay water is critical to consider when experiencing expressions from this distillery! Your review is spot on and it was so enjoyable to listen to! Thanks so much! This is a delightful Scotch! The viscosity, the salinity, and sweet flavours in this beautiful Scotch are so amazing. I love the heather, grilled fruit and malt notes. I can't say enough about how much I enjoy this expression! It's a constant on my bar! It's been perfect over the summer at my favourite local beach! Bliss! Cheers! 🙂
Thanks so much for this comment Christine! You've written a really beautiful description of why this bottle and distillery are so special. And 100% the perfect peated whisky for summer. Just simply so good in every way. Cheers 🥃
My favorite Kilchoman. Had batchs 8, 9, & 10. Saw Anthony Wills interviewed saying that they don't test the PPM and that the few times they have it's more like 10-12. I love this as you can taste all the spirit character of that barley through the mild peat. Batch 10 is mostly 1st fill bourbon with just a few oloroso sherry butts to add complexity without being obvious. Agree that they should use 50% as the standard for all their bottlings. The 43% ones I have had feel thin to me. Beautiful stuff. Cheers
Seems to be a lot of people agreeing with us on this being their favourite Kilchoman. Those who seem to not like it prefer more sherry influence as far as I can tell. But for my palate, this whisky is it for me. Good to hear we're on the same page bottling strength wise too. Also really interesting to hear they don't test the PPM level and that when they have it's been lower! I wonder if they put 20PPM as a high range catch all PPM level for Islay Barley? All of the 100% Islay Barley Single Cask releases I've seen also bear the 20PPM statement. Really great to know though! Cheers Donner Pass 🥃
I picked up a Machir Bay and have really enjoyed the intensity of the dram. When it comes to other farm distilleries that I love, I’d say I love Frey Ranch from Nevada. Their bourbon, rye, and special releases are all great and really allow you to taste the grain without being abrasive.
Glad that Machir Bay is treating you well! I'll keep an eye out for that Frey Ranch! There's something special about farm distilleries or those keeping that whole process in house. It seems that it can give the whisky an extra bit of nuance and leads to more differences than others whiskies by the nature if how it was made. Cheers Kyle 🥃
I love Kilchoman already and hearing your experience and description, just makes me want to pour a dram of this. Also, to visit them! Thanks for shaing, cheers!
Great review mate. This is one of my favourite Islay distilleries. While they’re technically not a farm distillery, Waterford in Ireland is making pretty interesting single malts by working with local farmers to get them to grow some heritage grains. Each bottle usually represents a different farm.
I do love that Mark basically tried to make Waterford into Bruichladdich in Ireland by focusing on double distillation and single farm barley terroir. Hoping that with maturity it really starts to shine too! Also farm distilleries seem to be popping up all over. Lochlea, Daftmill, the upcoming Machrihanish. Really neat to see this happening! Cheers 🥃
Hey Matt. I went to the KWM Kilchoman tasting last night. 100% Islay won the day. It was 10x better than the others when I did the empty glass test. It was up against Machir Bay, Sanaig, Fino, PX and Cognac.
That's really cool to hear! I was jealous of that in person tasting. It's nice to hear the 100% Islay performed very well and that you enjoyed it more than the others! Selfishly, it's always nice to get some confirmation that I'm on the right path with these reviews haha! Cheers man🥃
Great review Matt! I just picked up a bottle of the 11th edition in Seattle and haven’t opened it up yet but after watching this I might have to try it out tonight. Cheers my friend!
Thanks Kevin! I hope the 11th edition is just as good as this one. An earlier comment mentioned the 11th was a favourite of the distillery staff so that bodes well. Hope you enjoy it. Cheers 🥃
Nice Matt glad you like this one. Like you said this much rounder and subtler compared to Machir Bay and is just so clean isn't it! I really love Kilchoman and last year they bottled and exclusive single ex-bourbon cask for Turkiye which I think I'll review soon because it's delicious as well! Kilchoman always impresses me. Cheers my friend, great review and nice info as always!
Thanks Sertug! Not surprised to hear the single cask is great too! I've had some good luck with Kilchoman Single casks as well and am glad to hear they bottled one for Turkiye! They also bottled one for British Columbia but it has been priced too high for me to take a chance on so far. Looking forward to the review. Cheers man 🥃
Kilchoman is really a great Distillery and they do a lot of things really well. My problem that I have with Kilchoman (don't laugh) - I hate their bottles - I hat the colour's and the shape - They look cheap and remind me of 1001 oriental nights! But again - the Whisky is really good, tried all Loch Gorms the last 10 years, a wonderful cs edition, Sanaig is great also! Just heard you saying 'oh it is a beautiful bottle' 😂😂👍🏽
Can't help but laugh after my comments about the bottles haha! They are definitely not shaped like "traditional" bottles. I think they look pretty neat but agree that the shape is cumbersome for shelving purposes as they are very, very annoyingly wide lol. On this one I liked the subtle nod to the more "naked" spirit character of this bottling by using a see through label. Either way I'm happy to hear we both enjoy the whisky from Kilchoman. Trying all of the Loch Gorm releases is an impressive feat! Cheers Markus 🥃
@sugarkitty4777 @paologramatica9231 I really enjoyed the sample of the 12th I had. The 12th never came to my province but we still have the 11th on shelves. Hearing that it's a favourite of the Kilchoman team makes me even more certain it's also a buy. Cheers 🥃
I've enjoyed the two Kilchoman Single Casks I've had. Always looking for more at a decent price. If you like ex-bourbon maturation then this one would be a good candidate I think. Cheers Jimmy 🥃
Great review, Matt...I have to admit I haven't tried this expression since a few years so I'll keep in mind to try recent bottlings to see if I like it (I wasn't a big fan of some of earlier releases so left it on the side tbh...). Nice rating too...To answer your question at the beginning, yes, several Scottish ones & English ones, but obviously to have been part of blending a farm to glass bottling here in France, I feel privileged...and hope it will not remain a unique experience...
Farm to glass is something special and a real privilege to be a part of. On Batches, I really disliked the Batch 3 I tried at the distillery, which was a shame. Our guide even said it wasn't one of the better ones. So far I can give positive reports to the 10th and 12th. Thinking about farm to glass makes me want to pull out a Darroze Armaganac. I find it fascinating that the still is brought to the farm once they are ready to distill the harvest. It is such a down to earth solution and great idea. Cheers Greg 🥃
@@whiskyonthewestcoast Good to know about the recent batches, thanks, Matt....ah, Darroze, indeed ! Which one do you have ? Yeah some of the ones they use (they're an indie bottler) were made like this, I don't know the proportion between wandering stills & on site stills tbh, I'm not sure even the B.N.I.A. (kinda a SWA for Armagnac) even knows, but I agree it was smart...Cheers, Matt !
The only 100% islay I’ve had from them was in a blind tasting kit. And you could have easily convinced me it was gin.. it was weird haha sanaig was awesome though
Haha, peated gin sounds kinda interesting to me! Glad you liked the Sanaig though. I have a bottle of Sanaig in the stash as it's been sherry and peat delight each time I've had it, and at a good price. Cheers 🥃
Yes and I look forward to the Islay Barley release each year from Bruichladdich, Port Charlotte and Octomore, though there is quite a bit of batch variation so I can't speak for each of them. 2022's Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2013 stood out to me, Octomore 7.3 is probably of my favourite of the .3's. Port Charlotte Islay Barley's in my area are typically a great value at around $100 Canadian. Cheers Dileep 🥃
That is a big price tag. If you can ever try it in a bar I'd say it's worth it for the opportunity to get to know their distillate character in such a raw way. I paid $88USD and would happily do so again. Cheers John 🥃
Matt this is one of my favourite Islay expressions and when I visited the Islay distilleries a few years ago I was so impressed with Kilchoman. Outstanding! It is my favourite Kilchoman release. The use of Islay water is critical to consider when experiencing expressions from this distillery! Your review is spot on and it was so enjoyable to listen to! Thanks so much! This is a delightful Scotch! The viscosity, the salinity, and sweet flavours in this beautiful Scotch are so amazing. I love the heather, grilled fruit and malt notes. I can't say enough about how much I enjoy this expression! It's a constant on my bar! It's been perfect over the summer at my favourite local beach! Bliss! Cheers! 🙂
Thanks so much for this comment Christine! You've written a really beautiful description of why this bottle and distillery are so special. And 100% the perfect peated whisky for summer. Just simply so good in every way. Cheers 🥃
@@whiskyonthewestcoast Thanks so much Matt! This is such a kind reply! I really appreciate it! Cheers! 🙂
Kilhoman is one of the best distilleries to visit on Islay and fast becoming one of my favourite Islay whiskies.
I'd say you're in good company being a fan of theirs. Let's enjoy them before the bandwagon gets too full! Cheers Sandy 🥃
My favorite Kilchoman. Had batchs 8, 9, & 10. Saw Anthony Wills interviewed saying that they don't test the PPM and that the few times they have it's more like 10-12. I love this as you can taste all the spirit character of that barley through the mild peat. Batch 10 is mostly 1st fill bourbon with just a few oloroso sherry butts to add complexity without being obvious. Agree that they should use 50% as the standard for all their bottlings. The 43% ones I have had feel thin to me. Beautiful stuff. Cheers
Seems to be a lot of people agreeing with us on this being their favourite Kilchoman. Those who seem to not like it prefer more sherry influence as far as I can tell. But for my palate, this whisky is it for me. Good to hear we're on the same page bottling strength wise too. Also really interesting to hear they don't test the PPM level and that when they have it's been lower! I wonder if they put 20PPM as a high range catch all PPM level for Islay Barley? All of the 100% Islay Barley Single Cask releases I've seen also bear the 20PPM statement. Really great to know though! Cheers Donner Pass 🥃
I picked up a Machir Bay and have really enjoyed the intensity of the dram. When it comes to other farm distilleries that I love, I’d say I love Frey Ranch from Nevada. Their bourbon, rye, and special releases are all great and really allow you to taste the grain without being abrasive.
Glad that Machir Bay is treating you well! I'll keep an eye out for that Frey Ranch! There's something special about farm distilleries or those keeping that whole process in house. It seems that it can give the whisky an extra bit of nuance and leads to more differences than others whiskies by the nature if how it was made. Cheers Kyle 🥃
I love Kilchoman already and hearing your experience and description, just makes me want to pour a dram of this. Also, to visit them! Thanks for shaing, cheers!
It's hard not to love Kilchoman and what they do, glad you're enjoying them too Jon. Hope you get to Islay some day soon. Cheers 🥃
Great review mate. This is one of my favourite Islay distilleries.
While they’re technically not a farm distillery, Waterford in Ireland is making pretty interesting single malts by working with local farmers to get them to grow some heritage grains. Each bottle usually represents a different farm.
I do love that Mark basically tried to make Waterford into Bruichladdich in Ireland by focusing on double distillation and single farm barley terroir. Hoping that with maturity it really starts to shine too! Also farm distilleries seem to be popping up all over. Lochlea, Daftmill, the upcoming Machrihanish. Really neat to see this happening! Cheers 🥃
Hey Matt. I went to the KWM Kilchoman tasting last night. 100% Islay won the day. It was 10x better than the others when I did the empty glass test. It was up against Machir Bay, Sanaig, Fino, PX and Cognac.
That's really cool to hear! I was jealous of that in person tasting. It's nice to hear the 100% Islay performed very well and that you enjoyed it more than the others! Selfishly, it's always nice to get some confirmation that I'm on the right path with these reviews haha! Cheers man🥃
Great review Matt! I just picked up a bottle of the 11th edition in Seattle and haven’t opened it up yet but after watching this I might have to try it out tonight. Cheers my friend!
Thanks Kevin! I hope the 11th edition is just as good as this one. An earlier comment mentioned the 11th was a favourite of the distillery staff so that bodes well. Hope you enjoy it. Cheers 🥃
Nice Matt glad you like this one. Like you said this much rounder and subtler compared to Machir Bay and is just so clean isn't it! I really love Kilchoman and last year they bottled and exclusive single ex-bourbon cask for Turkiye which I think I'll review soon because it's delicious as well! Kilchoman always impresses me. Cheers my friend, great review and nice info as always!
Thanks Sertug! Not surprised to hear the single cask is great too! I've had some good luck with Kilchoman Single casks as well and am glad to hear they bottled one for Turkiye! They also bottled one for British Columbia but it has been priced too high for me to take a chance on so far. Looking forward to the review. Cheers man 🥃
Kilchoman is really a great Distillery and they do a lot of things really well. My problem that I have with Kilchoman (don't laugh) - I hate their bottles - I hat the colour's and the shape - They look cheap and remind me of 1001 oriental nights! But again - the Whisky is really good, tried all Loch Gorms the last 10 years, a wonderful cs edition, Sanaig is great also! Just heard you saying 'oh it is a beautiful bottle' 😂😂👍🏽
Can't help but laugh after my comments about the bottles haha! They are definitely not shaped like "traditional" bottles. I think they look pretty neat but agree that the shape is cumbersome for shelving purposes as they are very, very annoyingly wide lol. On this one I liked the subtle nod to the more "naked" spirit character of this bottling by using a see through label. Either way I'm happy to hear we both enjoy the whisky from Kilchoman. Trying all of the Loch Gorm releases is an impressive feat! Cheers Markus 🥃
I have the 12th Edition 100% Islay. it's fantastic. BUY BUY BUY
All are fantastic, apparently the 11th is the favorite of the team at Kilchoman ;)
I think Aqvavitae is in the camp of the 11th, but 12 is right there for me. 😺😺
@sugarkitty4777 @paologramatica9231 I really enjoyed the sample of the 12th I had. The 12th never came to my province but we still have the 11th on shelves. Hearing that it's a favourite of the Kilchoman team makes me even more certain it's also a buy. Cheers 🥃
Sounds like a lovely dram. I have a bit of their ex wine casks & single casks, but haven't tried their Islay barely 😮
I've enjoyed the two Kilchoman Single Casks I've had. Always looking for more at a decent price. If you like ex-bourbon maturation then this one would be a good candidate I think. Cheers Jimmy 🥃
Just got a sample of the 12th edition, excited to try it soon!
I remember the 12th being really good as well! Glad you'll get to try it. I think the 13th just came out in the U.K. too. Cheers 🥃
Great review, Matt...I have to admit I haven't tried this expression since a few years so I'll keep in mind to try recent bottlings to see if I like it (I wasn't a big fan of some of earlier releases so left it on the side tbh...). Nice rating too...To answer your question at the beginning, yes, several Scottish ones & English ones, but obviously to have been part of blending a farm to glass bottling here in France, I feel privileged...and hope it will not remain a unique experience...
Farm to glass is something special and a real privilege to be a part of. On Batches, I really disliked the Batch 3 I tried at the distillery, which was a shame. Our guide even said it wasn't one of the better ones. So far I can give positive reports to the 10th and 12th. Thinking about farm to glass makes me want to pull out a Darroze Armaganac. I find it fascinating that the still is brought to the farm once they are ready to distill the harvest. It is such a down to earth solution and great idea. Cheers Greg 🥃
@@whiskyonthewestcoast Good to know about the recent batches, thanks, Matt....ah, Darroze, indeed ! Which one do you have ? Yeah some of the ones they use (they're an indie bottler) were made like this, I don't know the proportion between wandering stills & on site stills tbh, I'm not sure even the B.N.I.A. (kinda a SWA for Armagnac) even knows, but I agree it was smart...Cheers, Matt !
The only 100% islay I’ve had from them was in a blind tasting kit. And you could have easily convinced me it was gin.. it was weird haha sanaig was awesome though
Haha, peated gin sounds kinda interesting to me! Glad you liked the Sanaig though. I have a bottle of Sanaig in the stash as it's been sherry and peat delight each time I've had it, and at a good price. Cheers 🥃
Have you tried the Bruichladdie Islay Barley?
Yes and I look forward to the Islay Barley release each year from Bruichladdich, Port Charlotte and Octomore, though there is quite a bit of batch variation so I can't speak for each of them. 2022's Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2013 stood out to me, Octomore 7.3 is probably of my favourite of the .3's. Port Charlotte Islay Barley's in my area are typically a great value at around $100 Canadian. Cheers Dileep 🥃
Sounds like great juice but hesitant to pull the trigger $100 And up in my area.
Cheers 🥃
That is a big price tag. If you can ever try it in a bar I'd say it's worth it for the opportunity to get to know their distillate character in such a raw way. I paid $88USD and would happily do so again. Cheers John 🥃
Available in BC?
Yes. Not the 10th, Edition but the 11th. Last place I saw it was Angry Otter at 248th in Aldergrove.