Whisky Focus - Kilchoman 16 Year Old

It is now 18 years since Kilchoman farm distillery on the Isle of Islay went it to production and fans of this peaty dram will be pleased to hear that the distillery has announced today the release of their oldest global release bottling to date, a limited edition Kilchoman 16 Year Old expression.

Some of you may recall the outstanding Kilchoman 16 Year Old Fèis Ìle 2022 bottling which was a very limited release only available to purchase in person from the distillery shop on Kilchoman Fèis Ìle Day 2022 and this was a vatting of just 5 first fill bourbon barrels.

The Kilchoman 16 Year Old differs somewhat from last years 16 Year Old Fèis Ìle release, in that it has been created with a combination of 21 casks, the distillery tells me that they were predominantly ex-bourbon barrels with just a hint of ex-Oloroso sherry casks in the mix. So the only relation to the Fèis Ìle release is the time spent maturing.

Being a marriage of both ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks, a style which Kilchoman is held in high regard for by whisky drinkers, the new 16 year old release is said to showcase how these recognised Kilchoman flavours and character has developed over the last 16 years of maturation.

Anthony Wills, Kilchoman Founder, & Robin Bignal, Production Manager, have spent the last few years keeping a close eye on these early casks, waiting for the right moment to vat them together and form this momentous Kilchoman 16 Years Old.

Anthony Wills, Kilchoman Founder commented, saying :  "This is a landmark release for the distillery, the oldest global bottling we have done to date at 16 years of age. I look forward to Kilchoman fans around the world tasting this outstanding whisky and experience the evolving character of our single malt."

I haven't had the chance to taste the new 16 year old yet but it will certainly be interesting to see just how much the Kilchoman peat has or indeed has not been tamed over the 16 years, the official tasting note is below which is obviously aimed at the Christmas market given the reference to festive spices.

You will find the new Kilchoman 16 Year Old available from specialist online whisky shops such as The Whisky Exchange and Master of Malt
 

• UK Shops
   
• USA Shops
   
• European Shops

Whisky Focus