Kilchoman 13 Year Old 2007 Private Cask for Max & Julia

There are only a few private casks bottled that have reached the age of 13 years at Kilchoman. This bourbon barrel was bottled for Max & Julia. The names may not mean much to you, they do to me. I ordered four bottles immediately because I know the person who owned the cask and he knows a thing or two about whisky (that’s a gracious understatement, trust me). And I was not wrong. It’s not good. It’s not even great. It’s outstanding!

Nicely bright nose on fatty peat, brackish water, motor oil and capers. Nicely maritime. Underneath I get some raw barley and a hint of play-doh, upholstered with some vanilla, sun flower oil and hay. Islay pur sang with the Kilchoman DNA.

O.M.G.! Sturdy arrival, but not scorching. The strength is nigh perfect. Bright, clean on sweet malt with lots of black pepper and woodspice. You even taste the caramelized inside of the cask, giving it a lovely sweetness. Nice smoke development that makes the mouth completely warm. Delicious.

The finish is very long, mildly drying and reminds me again of sun flower oil.

This is only the second Kilchoman (out of some 50 tasted) that ends up in my 90+ score book. I hope Max and Julia will enjoy this as much as I did. A future classic! Kudos!

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