This is one of my favorites, I loved Machir Bay and will buy more. I found it quite different to Ardbeg, which I liked, but Ardbeg was more in-your-face peaty. Whereas I found the Machir Bay more subtle on the peat and complex. Amazing for a fairly cheap whisky.
When I took a first sip of this whisky, it was a new experience for me. I had a buttery citrus flavour fighting with the smoke and a little bit sharp finish. I like that. Is it worth to buy? Yes! I like the different experiences between the whisky's.
My Dear Eric, Another excellent review!!! I'm a Machir Bay fan 100%. I get a bunch of beautiful fruits in the nose like soft peach, banana as well as the citrus lemon custard and for me they are wrapped in the peat rather than fighting it....but I see , to a certain extent what you mean, that's just me. I'm looking forward to the 95% bourbon expression as well as the Cask Strength and 14yr Impex release as well. 100% Machier bay! I think I like it as counterpoint to my love of Ardbeg Corryvrecken and Laphroiag 10yr CS. It's just me. I love your style and the depth that you go to to explain what you're experiencing. I'm always watching and learning. Keep doing what you're doing, It's Great!!
Superb review, Erik! Would love to see you do a rundown of various Kilchoman expressions including this, Loch Gorm and some of the finished bottles. Cheers brother!
Guess my tastes aren’t so refined. I just today compared my Ardbeg 10 directly with this Kilchoman Machir Bay and I found them both very good, slightly different but still complex. I didn’t at all think one blows the other out of the water. Guess I need more refined taste buds. Love them both.
A pretty spot on assessment of this whiskey. I got mine on sale with two matching Glencarins in a really nice gift set for a very decent price. Especially after converting USD to CDN dollars I feel as if I paid what the whiskey is worth. The fill level on mine is just approaching the shoulder and I’ve had it for about three months now. I didn’t know what to expect so I wasn’t disappointed however by no means is it my favorite.
The Whisky Explorer that’s what the tax is in my province. I bought mine mail order next door in Alberta, got it $30 cheaper than at home and only paid 5% tax to boot so it wasn’t bad at all.
I enjoy Machir Bay as a rougher, edgier alternative to other Islay single malts. It does have an aftertaste reminiscent of bitter orange peel. The peat is certainly more present than in Ardbeg 10. It sticks to the palate far longer than the 10 year releases from Ardbeg and Laphroaig. It certainly brings something unique to the table. I highly recommend it.
Very nice work sir. I've found lagavulin 16 hits the notes that lul me to a calm ease. The 8 is really pretty for the depth but such a lovely sweet body and a smoked banana bread wrapped in seaweed. Like a hug from me granmum.
Eric I find your review is the most accurate of this whiskey. I am commenting on a bottle purchased November 2020. I do not think it compares to other Islay scotches. As you note its too young. I feel it could improve with more aging. I would not buy this again. Young, aggressive, lacking depth. I would rate it a 70 at best. I am not getting the peaty/smoke from this that I would expect. Laphroaig or Ardbeg blow this away. At $65 in Michigan, I can do much better!
I somewhat disagree with the review, being a very Islay/peat oriented drinker. The salt water and brine features remind me of Ardbeg. The peat and butterfy vanilla reminds me of Lagavulin... 8! A bit more aggressive than Lagavulin 16 when it comes to peat. I don't have any Ardbeg 10 at the moment, but I would say it gives the 10 yr expression more than a run for its money. It's going to be a mainstay in my cabinet. My favorite current peated offering within the price range is Port Charlotte 10 by Bruichladdich. I *can* agree that the competition in this price bracket is really fierce. I miss BenRiach - Curiositas. It was a relatively heavily peated Speyside that has been replaced by the Smoky 10 and 12 offerings.
Couldn't agree more! My first venture into scotch a few years ago. I'm a sucker for "free" glasses in the gift box. It is a very powerful fresh experience. Like the perennial argument goes......age matters. Age statements are relevant to my expectations and therefore my purchasing decisions. I am looking forward to American single malts with statements measured in years instead of months, aside from Texas and the South West. Doesn't have to be 12 or 15, but 4-10 would be delicious to see, I mean drink
Well now I know why Total Wine on my area put these on sale. They weren’t moving at $63 so they dropped them down to $48. That shelf cleared out quick. For $48 it is a couple of bucks cheaper than Ardbeg 10 and Laphroaig 10.
Thanks Erik for the honest review I'll pass on this one . I have an open bottle of KILCHOMAN SANAIG I'm enjoying. Have you tried that one yet?.......Slainte'
Seems that this whisky could benefit largely from a few more years of maturation, judging upon your description of its flavour profile, it certainly has the potential, only that it hasn't been given enough time to develop it. Thanks, great review, you've just saved me €50
Do you think the cask strength version would bring enough to warrant a $65 price tag? I was planning on picking it up as a gift for a good buddy who, like me, enjoys the peat and smoke of Islay. He's a Port Charlotte and Bunnahabhain fan, I'm an Ardbeg and Laphroaig devotee, but sometimes I like to push things in a different direction. That's why I was considering this Machir Bay Cask Strength (around 118-120 proof).
I can't find a bottle of the Machir Bay Cask Strength available in the USA. I looked around and everyone seems to be sold out and they are listing it at $75 - $85. So, if I could get a bottle I'd buy it.
@@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies I called the store to confirm their online listing was up to date and they confirmed that they still had a few bottles left. Thanks for your reply. I'll get one (or two).
I echo your thoughts on this whiskey. Pretty middle of the road for me. I haven’t tried any others from Kilchoman and I’m sure they have better expressions, I just won’t be running to buy this one again.
Love yr Show. If ever I could, i would love you to try Kilchoman Series ONE 3 year-old (first realease, ever) 46% abv SUmmer 2010 . . . (imagine comparing Wee Beastie 5 yo)
I've been finding I actually really love a neck pour from a smokey Islay. As I sit with a bottle and get passed the shoulder, getting acclimated to the peat I actually pick up more deep vegetal notes that I don't really enjoy as much at this point in my journey. I guess right now I want a whisky that's all savory smoke & ash, maybe a hint of oak and dark chocolate and not much else. I really love Ardbeg 10 and Port Charlotte 10. Like I really really love those when I first have a dram - my favorite, I love the savory bbq notes, the smoked meats/bacon, etc - but they do seem to get weird and vegetal to me after a few drams, particularly late at night perhaps once a buzz starts to kick in and my palette ceases to pick up the smoke anymore... So far Laphroaig Lore is the only one I've tried that doesn't shift to that vegetal taste for me after several drams and getting fully acclimated. I could keep drinking it all night if I could afford to. I keep going back to Ardbeg and Port Charlotte for their value and keep finding I seem to enjoy the neck pours from them the most.
Thanks for the review Erik! I have wanted to try this one for quite some time. Unfortunately, it is about $105 CAD here (around $75 USD) before taxes, so I have to pass at that price.
It’s aud$99 in Oz - about 77 usd also. I’m liking this. There’s something exciting about the saltiness and aggressive peat layered over the fruit characteristics. Worth a go!
I don't get why Kilchoman editions are still branded as NAS. Most of them actually put the years of distillation and bottling on the label or on the box. This can't be clearer and more honest. Reminds me of old Balblairs without the vintage. Real NAS are more the Ardbeg Corry, Oogie and An Oa or Highland Park viking bulls..t.
I think there is an ego factor that prevents the Scottish from printing anything less than 2 digits on the label. I have an Oregon SM that says 3 months. I'll discuss the value of an age statement with you over a dram; til the cows come home or until that oak imparts it's magic into the spirit.
The real reason is because the bottling is made from a mix of different age casks. If the mix includes 5, 7 and 9 year old casks the label on the bottle can only show the youngest Cask used. So it would be labelled as a 5 year old. Which is of course false. Therefore it has nothing to do with the math ability of a 5 year old 😉
I just tried this for the first time tonight. It was awful compared to Ladaig 10 and the Ardbegs. I think once you graduate to these then its quite difficult to accept things like Kilchoman . I need complex and meatier scotches. Kilhoman is just too bland for me personally and it’s youth is tough for me to get passed, heck I feel Wee Beastie from Ardbeg at 5 years in much better than the Kilchoman line up. My opinion!
Review meshes with my experience. When I drink it by itself it is “fine.” But when compared with any other peated malt, it struggles. One of my more disappointing buys-perhaps owing to high reputational expectations.
Revisiting one week later. Basically same opinion, but it may be wheedling its way into my heart just a little bit. Had it tonight following Glenrothes and Mortlach, so great for a peat finish after those. It shines much better in this line up than it does in an Islay flight...
Michał Stankiewicz TH-cam is not the place for polite disagreements. You need to insult my intelligence and question the legitimacy of my parentage. Cheers!
This is one of my favorites, I loved Machir Bay and will buy more. I found it quite different to Ardbeg, which I liked, but Ardbeg was more in-your-face peaty. Whereas I found the Machir Bay more subtle on the peat and complex. Amazing for a fairly cheap whisky.
Agreed
When I took a first sip of this whisky, it was a new experience for me.
I had a buttery citrus flavour fighting with the smoke and a little bit sharp finish. I like that.
Is it worth to buy? Yes!
I like the different experiences between the whisky's.
My Dear Eric, Another excellent review!!! I'm a Machir Bay fan 100%. I get a bunch of beautiful fruits in the nose like soft peach, banana as well as the citrus lemon custard and for me they are wrapped in the peat rather than fighting it....but I see , to a certain extent what you mean, that's just me. I'm looking forward to the 95% bourbon expression as well as the Cask Strength and 14yr Impex release as well. 100% Machier bay! I think I like it as counterpoint to my love of Ardbeg Corryvrecken and Laphroiag 10yr CS. It's just me. I love your style and the depth that you go to to explain what you're experiencing. I'm always watching and learning. Keep doing what you're doing, It's Great!!
Superb review, Erik! Would love to see you do a rundown of various Kilchoman expressions including this, Loch Gorm and some of the finished bottles. Cheers brother!
Guess my tastes aren’t so refined. I just today compared my Ardbeg 10 directly with this Kilchoman Machir Bay and I found them both very good, slightly different but still complex. I didn’t at all think one blows the other out of the water. Guess I need more refined taste buds. Love them both.
A pretty spot on assessment of this whiskey. I got mine on sale with two matching Glencarins in a really nice gift set for a very decent price. Especially after converting USD to CDN dollars I feel as if I paid what the whiskey is worth. The fill level on mine is just approaching the shoulder and I’ve had it for about three months now. I didn’t know what to expect so I wasn’t disappointed however by no means is it my favorite.
Ron Gergely it’s $105 CAD here (no free glens). Really wanted to try it, but had to pass at that price.
The Whisky Explorer had another last night. First one in a couple of months. Still ok but just that. Ok... I wouldn’t pay $105 CND either.
Ron Gergely the trouble is that we pay so much tax here too! There’s 15% on top of that so it’s more like $120 out the door.
The Whisky Explorer that’s what the tax is in my province. I bought mine mail order next door in Alberta, got it $30 cheaper than at home and only paid 5% tax to boot so it wasn’t bad at all.
I enjoy Machir Bay as a rougher, edgier alternative to other Islay single malts. It does have an aftertaste reminiscent of bitter orange peel. The peat is certainly more present than in Ardbeg 10. It sticks to the palate far longer than the 10 year releases from Ardbeg and Laphroaig. It certainly brings something unique to the table. I highly recommend it.
Great review. I just bought a bottle of this fabulous whisky here in Germany and loved it.
Glad you enjoy it!
Another superb informative video. Totally agree that it is really not complex enough to make it great, rather than quite good.
Erik. I love your honesty. Thanks brother.
I try as much as possible.
I enjoyed this expression .And planning to buy the Cask strength en the rest of the core range. this is my dessert drink . Ty .Nice review.
Very nice work sir. I've found lagavulin 16 hits the notes that lul me to a calm ease. The 8 is really pretty for the depth but such a lovely sweet body and a smoked banana bread wrapped in seaweed. Like a hug from me granmum.
Eric I find your review is the most accurate of this whiskey. I am commenting on a bottle purchased November 2020. I do not think it compares to other Islay scotches. As you note its too young. I feel it could improve with more aging. I would not buy this again. Young, aggressive, lacking depth. I would rate it a 70 at best. I am not getting the peaty/smoke from this that I would expect. Laphroaig or Ardbeg blow this away. At $65 in Michigan, I can do much better!
I somewhat disagree with the review, being a very Islay/peat oriented drinker. The salt water and brine features remind me of Ardbeg. The peat and butterfy vanilla reminds me of Lagavulin... 8! A bit more aggressive than Lagavulin 16 when it comes to peat. I don't have any Ardbeg 10 at the moment, but I would say it gives the 10 yr expression more than a run for its money. It's going to be a mainstay in my cabinet. My favorite current peated offering within the price range is Port Charlotte 10 by Bruichladdich. I *can* agree that the competition in this price bracket is really fierce.
I miss BenRiach - Curiositas. It was a relatively heavily peated Speyside that has been replaced by the Smoky 10 and 12 offerings.
Erik! Отличный обзор!! Ты один из лучших в мире!!! Thank you!!!
Спасибо за просмотр моих видео!
Couldn't agree more! My first venture into scotch a few years ago. I'm a sucker for "free" glasses in the gift box. It is a very powerful fresh experience.
Like the perennial argument goes......age matters. Age statements are relevant to my expectations and therefore my purchasing decisions.
I am looking forward to American single malts with statements measured in years instead of months, aside from Texas and the South West. Doesn't have to be 12 or 15, but 4-10 would be delicious to see, I mean drink
wow just tasted the port charlot 10 ,awesome !!
Loved the Port Charlotte 10.
Well now I know why Total Wine on my area put these on sale. They weren’t moving at $63 so they dropped them down to $48. That shelf cleared out quick. For $48 it is a couple of bucks cheaper than Ardbeg 10 and Laphroaig 10.
Thanks Erik for the honest review I'll pass on this one . I have an open bottle of
KILCHOMAN SANAIG I'm enjoying. Have you tried that one yet?.......Slainte'
G man I just bought a bottle of Kilchoman Sanaig and will be reviewing it soon
The Sanaig is the knock out of the range, they are all very very good, but the Sanaig is way more mature, and complex. And it's pretty well priced.
Seems that this whisky could benefit largely from a few more years of maturation, judging upon your description of its flavour profile, it certainly has the potential, only that it hasn't been given enough time to develop it.
Thanks, great review, you've just saved me €50
Well said! I definitely think it could use some more time.
One of the best
Its smokey grilled lemons, its one of the most clarion notes I've ever gotten from a whiskey. Its straight up grilled lemons on charcoal.
Do you think the cask strength version would bring enough to warrant a $65 price tag? I was planning on picking it up as a gift for a good buddy who, like me, enjoys the peat and smoke of Islay. He's a Port Charlotte and Bunnahabhain fan, I'm an Ardbeg and Laphroaig devotee, but sometimes I like to push things in a different direction. That's why I was considering this Machir Bay Cask Strength (around 118-120 proof).
I can't find a bottle of the Machir Bay Cask Strength available in the USA. I looked around and everyone seems to be sold out and they are listing it at $75 - $85. So, if I could get a bottle I'd buy it.
@@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies I called the store to confirm their online listing was up to date and they confirmed that they still had a few bottles left. Thanks for your reply. I'll get one (or two).
I like this one. I think it costs the same as ardbeg 5 here. Thanks for review ❤
Thanks for watching!
I echo your thoughts on this whiskey. Pretty middle of the road for me. I haven’t tried any others from Kilchoman and I’m sure they have better expressions, I just won’t be running to buy this one again.
I’m a newbie whisky drinker and thought it was great.
Love yr Show. If ever I could, i would love you to try Kilchoman Series ONE 3 year-old (first realease, ever) 46% abv SUmmer 2010 . . . (imagine comparing Wee Beastie 5 yo)
I just added a
Wee bit of water and I think it made a difference to the arrival
Great tip!
When is your next Whisky Trek episode?
Really love them!!
I've been finding I actually really love a neck pour from a smokey Islay. As I sit with a bottle and get passed the shoulder, getting acclimated to the peat I actually pick up more deep vegetal notes that I don't really enjoy as much at this point in my journey. I guess right now I want a whisky that's all savory smoke & ash, maybe a hint of oak and dark chocolate and not much else. I really love Ardbeg 10 and Port Charlotte 10. Like I really really love those when I first have a dram - my favorite, I love the savory bbq notes, the smoked meats/bacon, etc - but they do seem to get weird and vegetal to me after a few drams, particularly late at night perhaps once a buzz starts to kick in and my palette ceases to pick up the smoke anymore... So far Laphroaig Lore is the only one I've tried that doesn't shift to that vegetal taste for me after several drams and getting fully acclimated. I could keep drinking it all night if I could afford to. I keep going back to Ardbeg and Port Charlotte for their value and keep finding I seem to enjoy the neck pours from them the most.
Sam Wasserman if you’re can find any Bunnahabhain Moine bottlings but them. I think you would like them!
@@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies Thank you for the suggestion! All I've found so far around me is the 12, but now I will keep my eyes peeled for some Moine!
I loved Port Charlotte 10. Will buy again.
@@samwasserman1837 Bunna Moine is expensive. Staoiaha is good as well but far cheaper. Toiteach a Dha is superb too. 😁🥃🙋♂️
Thanks for the review Erik! I have wanted to try this one for quite some time. Unfortunately, it is about $105 CAD here (around $75 USD) before taxes, so I have to pass at that price.
The Whisky Explorer if you know someone with a bottle ask for a sample. You might disagree with me.
Not a loss that you passed on this. There are better experiences out there.
rob gtk! Thanks!
It’s aud$99 in Oz - about 77 usd also. I’m liking this. There’s something exciting about the saltiness and aggressive peat layered over the fruit characteristics. Worth a go!
Right to the target!
Yes. We called this one Burned Fruit Tree in our blind tasting.
LOL!
I don't get why Kilchoman editions are still branded as NAS. Most of them actually put the years of distillation and bottling on the label or on the box. This can't be clearer and more honest. Reminds me of old Balblairs without the vintage.
Real NAS are more the Ardbeg Corry, Oogie and An Oa or Highland Park viking bulls..t.
They are NAS because to know the age requires the math skills of a 5 year old.
I think there is an ego factor that prevents the Scottish from printing anything less than 2 digits on the label. I have an Oregon SM that says 3 months.
I'll discuss the value of an age statement with you over a dram; til the cows come home or until that oak imparts it's magic into the spirit.
The real reason is because the bottling is made from a mix of different age casks. If the mix includes 5, 7 and 9 year old casks the label on the bottle can only show the youngest Cask used. So it would be labelled as a 5 year old. Which is of course false. Therefore it has nothing to do with the math ability of a 5 year old 😉
@@AlabamaTree very true. Kilchoman owners say: age is not everything when spirit is just high class what i 100% agree. 😁🥃🙋♂️
I just tried this for the first time tonight. It was awful compared to Ladaig 10 and the Ardbegs. I think once you graduate to these then its quite difficult to accept things like Kilchoman . I need complex and meatier scotches. Kilhoman is just too bland for me personally and it’s youth is tough for me to get passed, heck I feel Wee Beastie from Ardbeg at 5 years in much better than the Kilchoman line up. My opinion!
You right but i still like MB. Any opinion of Sanaig??
Review meshes with my experience. When I drink it by itself it is “fine.” But when compared with any other peated malt, it struggles. One of my more disappointing buys-perhaps owing to high reputational expectations.
Revisiting one week later. Basically same opinion, but it may be wheedling its way into my heart just a little bit. Had it tonight following Glenrothes and Mortlach, so great for a peat finish after those. It shines much better in this line up than it does in an Islay flight...
The answer is Loch Gorm... At least for me.
I just bought a bottle and will be reviewing the Loch Gorm soon!
@@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies Splendid!
Its better with a few drops of water
Heh... i do not agree with assesment. I feel lot more in that whisky including eucaliptus and fruitiness.
Michał Stankiewicz TH-cam is not the place for polite disagreements. You need to insult my intelligence and question the legitimacy of my parentage. Cheers!