This limited edition Kilchoman PX Sherry Cask Matured is a vatting of 33 casks, more precisely 9 fully matured in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks from 2015 and 24 PX finished casks from 2013 (after ex-bourbon) for between 12 and 18 months.
Whilst Kilchoman has released several PX single casks over the years (most of them merely finishes), this is the first global release, though still limited. Kilchoman founder Anthony Wills commented “Pedro Ximénez casks aren’t always the easiest to work with. That was why we decided on a combination of full maturation and finishing, to balance the distinct PX influence with that of our spirit.”
Kilchoman PX Sherry Matured (47,3%, OB 2021, 12000 btl.)
Nose: some raisins and blackberries of course, but overall not too sweet – good thing. It’s definitely not drowned in sticky toffee and all that. I get a lot of warm cigarette ashes, orange peel and cooked red fruits, alongside Kilchoman’s typical lemony side. Hints of kelp. Rather greasy peat. Some spearmint, even a few floral overtones. Check.
Mouth: very drinkable at this strength, I even feel it could have benefited from a few more degrees. A slightly bigger sooty side now, with salty notes and some olive brine. However it’s also really sweet and rounded. Oranges, caramel, raisins, redcurrants, with nutty notes in the background. Leafy notes, a drop of cough syrup and light tannins. Still some vibrant citrus too.
Finish: long, slightly drier with more wood coming through, but there’s still plenty of chocolate and raisins as well.
A successful balancing act: there’s the expected sooty side with the PX sherry sitting on the same level, adding rich sweetness but never overtaking the spirit. A nice composition, one of my favourites from the distillery so far. This Kilchoman is on its way to retailers around the world, selling quickly, but now available from Master of Malt for instance.