This is one of the oldest Kilchoman bottlings out there: Kilchoman 2007, a single first-fill bourbon cask exclusive to The Whisky Exchange. We’ve had a few 2007 expressions already and most were really good.
Kilchoman 13 yo 2007 (53,9%, OB for The Whisky Exchange, first-fill bourbon cask #197, 204 btl.)
Nose: these older examples show more mineral notes and less invasive peat. It’s rather more on smoked oils, car workshops and dried hay. Hints of seawater and wet sheep. Cold barbecue ashes as well as coal dust. There’s also a more fragrant side, with vanilla, dried mint and rubbed lemon skin. Pristine.
Mouth: an almost gooey texture, really greasy. Lots of herbal notes, with liquorice, eucalyptus and menthol, combined with a thick sweetness. Kippers, white pepper, brine and hints of iodine. Very coastal, with a hint of horseradish sharpness, but always with this apricot sweetness to balance it.
Finish: long, with sandy notes, a lot of salty sea water, with sweet lemons and medicinal touches.
A pretty superb Kilchoman bottling that has a lot to offer. Really intense, with good complexity, superb texture and in case plenty of coastal notes. Probably my favourite expression from this distillery so far. Now available from The Whisky Exchange.