A few extra thoughts for my WDJK friends in addition to my formal review below. First, this is not available in the U.S., which is why I have the price in Pounds Sterling. (Anthony Wills, the Managing Director of Kilchoman, tells me it will be in the U.S. in 2010.) I checked the Kilchoman website, and they still list it as being for sale with a two bottle limit. They also note that there will be a third release this month–something to look forward to.
I also wanted to note that I lined this whisky up next to the new Ardbeg Rollercoater (a marriage of 3-10 year old whiskies) and feel that Kilchoman tastes as mature as Rollercoaster. This is one of the most impressive new distilleries–anywhere! Let’s hope they can keep this up in the future.
Kilchoman, Autumn 2009 release, 46%, £47
This (rather young) Islay distillery’s second release. Like the original release, it’s aged for about three years and then finished in sherry casks–this time for 2.5 months, which is less than the first release. It’s in the same ballpark as the first release.
Once again, I am very impressed. It’s very mature for its age, with good viscosity, showing smoldering peat, coal tar, black licorice stick, burnt dark berried fruit, thick cut marmalade, shoo-fly pie (think molasses), toffee apple, cocoa powder, cinnamon and a suggestion of wet sheep. Long, peat smoke finish.
Advanced Malt Advocate magazine rating: 90
A sugggestion of wet sheep?
That’s why I love your reviews, John, right there.
What does John know?
how to get a sheep wet:)
I guess that means I’ve been to Scotland too many times…if that’s possible.
Honestly, and with all due respect, “wet sheep” is a descriptor I hope never to use when discussing a whisky. I’ve helped shear wet sheep!
Sam, sometimes bad things are good in small doses. How do you feel about lambic beers?
I’m a very proud owner of one of these bottle. Picked it up for 50 Euros in Amsterdam. Like you say John, it is very impressive for such a young whisky. In a blind tasting many would make the mistake of thinking it is older than it is. I look forward to their 10yo in 2016!
quite well said,. as a happy owner myself, i agree fully.
I loved this malt too and blogged about it earlier at WhiskyIsrael. Here is a link:
http://bit.ly/Kilchoman2
i agree, i was very surprised at its maturity for a 3 y.o. it’s quite better than the 1st release which is onlt 3 month younger (and not finished as this one).
i cant wait to see how amazing it shall be in 5 year’s time and more. will be a cracker!
Although I will likely be paying much more than I want to when/if we ever get it in Houston, I am VERY much looking forward to trying this whisky! Sounds wonderful.
John, I have to ask. Have you ever tasted a traditional Islay whisky (Laphroaig, Ardbeg..etc) that was this young? If so, how does the Kilchoman compare?
I think that Kilchoman tastes more mature than other Islay whiskies in this age range–generally speaking.
I love the Kilchoman–I even ordered a dozen of the mini one-month bottles. I cant’ believe the quality of this product for its age. I believe the taste is something balanced between an Ardbeg and a Caol Ila.
I only wish Kilchoman would come out with 70cl of the one month bottling. It is a truly a wild ride.
This is a wonderful malt – Got a bottle about two or three weeks ago and it is amazing for being as young as it is – I have someone saving me the first release which I will bring back from the U.K.
It is wonderful to be able to compare some of these young Islay malts – PC-5, the early Ardbeg releases (e.g. Still Young) and now Kilchoman -
Yeah BJ, how would you say that it compares to the PC’s?
Anyone know if it’s available somewhere that will ship to the US? Not something I generally do, but for a much-touted offering from a new Islay distillery, it’d be worth the extra hassle.
I could sent you one but i doubt wether it’ll pass customs.
Shouldn’t be an issue with customs. There are no laws banning federal importation for personal use. State laws vary widely, however.
worst case you have to pay taxes on your bottle.
I have ordered several times from various places in England, and have never had a problem.
I live in Florida
I ordered Kilchoman from:
loch Fyne Whiskies
http://www.lfw.co.uk/
Just bought the Inaugural Release, which i like also very much.
This 2nd bottle also will be on my shelf soon.
from my experience no problem in nsending stuff to the USA.
also, the Innaugural is nice, but not as the 2nd edition. it’s way too “new make spirit”-y and it lacks the spice on the automn release. considering , both are excellent. i think there are no left innaug.
You did NOT just pull out the “shoo-fly pie” thing did you? Betcha there was a slow smile when you keyed that in. Thanks for another well done review.
Now if I could only choke back an entire pour of Scotch without wishing I was sipping Bourbon or Rum….
Slow smile indeed. Lucky, give it time. Scotch is a lot more diverse than rum or bourbon (although I like them too!).
Exciting news – looking forward to its arrival! Thanks for the detailed review John. Scared to think what the cost will be when this hits 10 years old though…
I wonder how great it will taste. Can’t wait!
Shoo-fly pie! How Penn-centric. Take that, you Brits, with your allsorts and wine gums!
Hey, MrTH…LOVE IT!!
I’m really looking forward to this finding its way into the North American market.
John,
I bought the inaugural release in The Netherlands several months ago and I was dutifully impressed. I am generally not a fan of mucking things up with extensive wood finishes, especially with an emerging distillery (see Arran) as this typically indicates a production glitch.
What, if anything, do you think the longer sherry finishing brings? What I appreciated about the inaugural release was its honesty. A straightforward, no-holds-barred rugged Islay whisky. Something I’d be proud to steel away in a flask while salmon fishing in an icy-cold stream. I hope that Kilchoman doesn’t go down the cork-sniffing effete of Bruichladdich.
Arran, young as it was, did a lot of finishing in order to be able to put a variety of bottles in the marketplace; Bruichladdich, on the other hand, likely inherited a lot of stock that just wasn’t up to snuff as it was. I doubt either will ever stop with the finishing thing, but I expect that both will be happy enough to be able to offer a stable core range as their own mature stock becomes available.
Good perspective, TH.
Brian, it’s a trade-off. I like both for similar (and different) reasons. I liked Bruichladdich’s PC5 when it came out too for it’s honestly. A fun whisky.
Liquorland here in Alice Springs, NT had three single malts, Glenlivet 12 and Glenfiddich 12, and Bruichladdich 12 second edition. I chose the Bruichladdich since I never had it before. With the addition of a bit of water I am very impressed with it. Tons of fruit and honey. Good stuff.
I’ve been looking forward to trying this for some time and cannot wait until I can get my hands on a bottle.
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