Introduction
I picked up this batch strength release from Kilchoman out of curiosity more than anything. I’ve always respected what they do as a small, farm-to-bottle operation on Islay, and I was interested to see how their spirit holds up when bottled at higher strength. I’d tried a few of their standard expressions before, but this one promised something bolder. No dilution, no added colour — just the whisky as it is straight from the cask. That’s the kind of honesty I appreciate in a dram.
Nose
Right away, the nose grabbed my attention. It’s intense, but not overwhelming. Heavy on the maritime smoke you'd expect from Islay, but not one-dimensional. I got wet ash at first, like a campfire on a damp beach, then richer notes emerged — lemon peel, smoked malt, and a touch of brine. Letting it breathe brought out more sweetness, something like barley sugar and roasted nuts. It smells youthful, but there's enough complexity to keep it interesting.
Palate
The arrival is full-on. This is cask strength, and you feel it. The texture is oily and mouth-coating, delivering a blast of earthy peat and cracked black pepper. There's a definite malt-driven sweetness underneath, reminding me of digestive biscuits and honey. As it develops, some dried fruit creeps in — maybe sultanas or a bit of orange peel — but it's subtle. What really carries through is the smoke: clean, savoury, and persistent without being harsh. A splash of water helped tame the fire a touch, and brought forward a bit more vanilla and citrus.
Finish
The finish sits comfortably in the medium-to-long zone. It fades slowly, most noticeably with smoke and dry oak, though nearer the end I detected a mild herbal bitterness. There’s also a lingering mineral edge, like sea salt or damp stone, which ties back nicely to the nose. It's not overly smooth — there's still a bit of rawness — but it's balanced enough to appreciate rather than endure.
Price and Value
Given the quality and that it's a batch strength Islay single malt, I’d say the price is fair. You’re getting a whisky that hasn’t been massaged or overly processed. It delivers on strength, flavour, and authenticity. It may not be the easiest introduction to peated whisky, but if you already appreciate bold Islay styles, there's solid value here. It’s the kind of bottle that benefits from patience — and gives you reason to reach for it again and again.
Background
Kilchoman is one of Islay’s newer distilleries, established in 2005, but they’ve earned real respect for their hands-on approach. They grow their own barley, do floor malting on-site, and distil, mature, and bottle their whisky themselves — all from the same farm. Located on the western side of the island, their style reflects both their environment and philosophy: fresh, smoky, and grounded in tradition despite their relative youth. You can learn more about their process at the Kilchoman Distillery website.
This batch strength release (non-age-stated) comes from a combination of their bourbon and sherry casks, unchillfiltered and bottled without colouring. Each batch can vary slightly depending on the composition, but the DNA — youthful peat, natural texture, and malty backbone — remains consistent.
Final Notes
Would I buy this again? Yes — though I wouldn't place it in the 'daily dram' category due to its intensity. It’s more of a sit-down-and-focus kind of whisky. Is it approachable for beginners? Probably not. The high ABV and smoky profile make it better suited for drinkers already familiar with Islay malts.
How does it compare to other Islay whiskies? It has a rawer, more youthful character than something like Lagavulin or Ardbeg, but I like that about it. It feels less commercial, more farm-distilled as it actually is.
And when would I pour this? For me, it works best on cold evenings or when I want something that delivers a bit of a punch without losing its balance. It's not subtle, but it is honest — and there's a lot to enjoy in that.