If you know anything about whiskey then you will know that the island of Islay is one of the centres of the world in producing quality, smoky Scottish rare whiskey. One of the finest distillers on the island comes in the form of Kilchoman whiskey. Opened in 2005, it was the first distillery to actually be built on the island in about 124 years. A farm-based-distillery, it uses barley grown on its own grounds. It is also one of the only distilleries in the whole of Scotland to still be doing traditional floor malting. Since its opening, the distillery has produced numerous whiskies and is set to release its 12 Year Old this year. Some of its most prominent single malts and rare whiskey are listed below.
Kilchoman Sanaig
The most readily available of the distilleries produce, Sanaig is named after a rocky inlet to the North West of the distillery on the island. Matured in a Oloroso Sherry cask, the whisky has a rich, deep colour and a flavour to match. It manages to maintain the traditional peat smoke flavour of Islay’s distilleries while also having a citrusy sweetness.
Kilchoman Machir Bay
Machir Bay is famously one of the best beaches on the island of Islay. As such, Machir Bay was the first of the Kilchoman productions. A combo of Oloroso sherry and old bourbon casks, this matured and somewhat whiskey one best Islay Single Malt in 2016. With flavours of vanilla and a deep fruity palate. Again it maintains the peat’s smoke but has more levels than an average ‘scotch’.
Kilchoman Loch Gorm
The distillery being based on the edge of one of the peatiest lochs in Scotland. Loch Gorm takes its name and flavour from the building’s surroundings. This rare whiskey is the only one to have been matured entir
ely in ex-sherry casks and has been re-released every year, each time with subtle enhancements of sherry influence and maturity. Another subtly fruity single malt, this whisky has tones of cloves hidden amongst the peat smoke.
Where To Find Kilchoman Rare Whiskey
Although Kilchoman whiskey is relatively new, it can still be hard to get a hold of and there have been various limited releases which help make this an occasionally very rare whiskey. The Rare Malt Whisky Company is one of the finest purveyors of rare single malts and is one of the best places to look if you would like a taste of one of Islay’s finest distilleries.
