Two single cask Kilchoman 2011 today.
One is bourbon matured and bottled for Drinks by the Dram (the whisky sample service from Master of Malt) – the other one is a similar cask that was given a Pedro Ximénez sherry finish and bottled for the 10th anniversary of Whiskybase.com.
Kilchoman 5 yo 2011 (58,3%, OB for Drinks by the Dram 2017, bourbon cask #524/2011)
Kilchoman 5 yo 2011 (58,3%, OB for Drinks by the Dram 2017, bourbon cask #524/2011)Nose: apples and sweet lemons, with relatively gentle ashy smoke and a refreshing hint of eucalyptus. Light toffee and nougat. Vanilla cake. It’s fairly simple, as expected from a young bourbon matured version, but the freshness is very pleasant.
Mouth: stone fruits (peach, yellow plums), with warm smoke and a sweet malty core. Salted bread, as well as some caramel and lemony notes.
Finish: long, clean, peat smoke and lemons.
Simply good, with a caramel sweetness supporting the clean spirit. Nice and balanced but not more than that, a peated daily dram. Around € 105, exclusively available from Master of Malt.
Score: 83/100
Kilchoman 2011 (56,5%, OB for Whiskybase.com 2017, cask #696/2011, PX finish, 213 btl.)
Kilchoman 2011 (56,5%, OB for Whiskybase.com 2017, cask #696/2011, PX finish, 213 btl.)Nose: sweet PX indeed, though not overpowering and not necessarily more complex than the bourbon version. Cooked red plums, hints of blood orange. Brown sugar. Also wet sand and moderate smoke.
Mouth: more sherry now. Dates and figs, toffee and caramel. The citric qualities of the spirit are still there. Some drier hints of tobacco after a while. Salted almonds.
Finish: long, with a raisin sweetness and drier smoky notes.
More entertaining, I think, especially since it doesn’t overdo the sherry influence. Rich and balanced again. Originally around € 95 but now sold out, I believe.
Score: 85/100