Kilchoman and wine casks are both things I’ve come to know I like, so I’m very happy this one turned up. I’m pretty unfamiliar with Sauternes as a wine, so I’m pretty keen on seeing the influence on a whisky.
Kilchoman Sauternes Cask Finish, Islay Single Malt, 50% ABV
Minutia: Distilled in 2012, matured in 30 Bourbon barrels marrying for 5 months in Sauternes casks before bottling in 2018. Reviewed blind, neat in a glencairn.
Color: Burnished, 1.1.
Nose: Fruity, peaty smoke.
Taste: Fruity smoke, bit salty, pepper, somewhat dry.
Finish: Big smoke, earthy. Long. Real nice.
Guess: Unfortunately in opening the sample I inadvertently saw some letters which I believed to be Sauternes, so Kilchoman Sauternes.
I’m disappointed I almost certainly knew this is the only Sauternes whisky I have (at least as far as the name that would have been on the bottle), but I don’t think I’d have gotten it. I suspect I might have guessed a Sherried Islay, but I’m not sure I’d have guessed Kilchoman. Maybe might have gotten a sense of wine rather than a fortified wine. Anyway, this is quite nice. I’m surprised it was 50% as the nose is burnier than I’d expect for that at first, but that tones down shortly. I’d say this would lose a point if that persisted, or gain a point if it was never a part of it. The taste offers the least. It’s not bad, but is the weakest part. The finish is the strongest. I really like the earthy/dirty feel of it paired with the smoke.
Score: 88
Musical Evocation: Surma – “Reveal the Light Within”
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