Introduction
I’ve been curious about Kilchoman's batch strength expressions ever since my last visit to Islay. The distillery’s approach to small-scale, farm-based production tends to yield bold and honest whisky, and I was interested to see how that translated in an undiluted format. I picked up this bottle with few expectations but a healthy amount of respect. Knowing Kilchoman's character, I was prepared for peat – and plenty of it.
Nose
The aroma doesn’t pull any punches. Right away, I got a strong hit of coastal smoke – briny and almost medicinal – but it's quickly followed by oily barley and damp earth. There’s a distinct minerality here, like wet stones or sea spray, layered beneath a dense malt core. After a few minutes in the glass, the sharper peat settles a bit, revealing notes of green apple skin, hay, and a touch of aniseed.
Palate
The first sip was every bit as intense as expected. It starts oily and powerful, coating the mouth with a surge of earthy peat and smoked grain. The alcohol is prominent, but not harsh – there's a rawness here that suits the flavour profile. Mid-palate, I picked up salty liquorice, dried herbs, and a slightly bitter chocolate note. There's also an almost yeast-driven funk, similar to what you'd find in farmhouse ales. Complexity builds as you go, with the peat smoke remaining consistent throughout.
Finish
The finish is long and unapologetically drying, with charred oak and ash lingering on the tongue. A wave of burnt cereal and sooty smoke sticks around, countered only slightly by a late, faint sweetness – maybe baked apple or honeyed nuts. There’s a warming quality in the chest, which I appreciated on a rainy evening. It’s a finish that lingers more on the earthy, almost rustic notes than anything sweet or refined.
Price and Value
Kilchoman releases don’t come cheap, and this batch strength edition is no exception. That said, you do get full-throttle Islay character and a sense of authenticity. If you're looking for elegance, you might not find it here, but if you’re after raw, smoky depth in a natural presentation, it’s a fair trade. Some drinkers may find the strength too aggressive unless diluted slightly, but I liked it neat for the full experience.
Background
Kilchoman is unique in that it operates entirely on a working farm, producing whisky from barley grown and malted on site. It’s one of the youngest distilleries on Islay, but what it lacks in age, it makes up for in attention to detail and commitment to traditional methods. The batch strength version I tasted comes without chill filtration and is bottled at its natural cask strength, offering an undisturbed look at what the distillery can do. You can read more about their process on the Kilchoman Distillery website.
Final Notes
Would I go for another bottle? I probably would, though I’d keep it as an occasional dram rather than a regular pour. Its boldness is something I enjoy in specific moods – usually when I want something challenging and layered. If you're new to peated whisky, though, this might be a bit much straight away. A few drops of water round it out nicely, so it can be tamed if needed.
In terms of comparison, I find this Kilchoman more rustic and textured than something like Ardbeg 10, with less polish but perhaps more grit. It's not trying to be clean or refined – it's smoky whisky done the old way, and that’s part of its character. For anyone looking to explore the stronger, rawer side of Islay malts, this is one to seriously consider.