Distilled in 2012, the Kilchoman Red Wine Cask is not just a finishing – it spent its entire life in wine casks from the Douro Valley in Portugal. It follows Port, Madeira and Sauternes matured expressions released annually by the distillery since 2014. It is bottled at 50%, slightly more than their typical 46%.
Kilchoman ‘Red Wine Cask’ 2012
(50%, OB 2017, 7000 btl.)
Kilchoman ‘Red Wine Cask’ 2012Nose: quite a buttery version, with brioche, hints of red berry tartlets and sweet pears. Lots of cold ashes as well as some punchy oak. Liquorice and rose pepper. Vanilla and smoked ham in the background. Light brine too.
Mouth: more peat smoke now, some tarry notes and a very creamy base. Rather stout. Brown sugar. Plenty of cherries, hints of strawberry jam, cooked fruits. Again there’s a big oaky side with active spices. Hints of salted butter and chocolate.
Finish: quite long, spicy and sweet, with lots of ashy notes and tobacco.
The red fruits, buttery notes and firm oak makes this a very sweet, slightly overweight and not very balanced Kilchoman. I prefer the new Kilchoman 2009 Vintage. Around € 95 from Master of Malt.
Score: 81/100