Kilchoman 5 Year Old 2009 voor Tongerse Whiskyvrienden

The Belgian club Tongerse Whiskyvrienden did it again. I was already impressed with their previous selection, a Laffie 1997 (their Caol Ila bottled before that never reached me – hint, hint). So for the time being they remains on the Queen of Hebrides and selected a Kilchoman this time around. This single cask from 2009 matured on a bourbon cask and was finished on a PX cask.

This is a pleasure from the get go. On the nose I get Miso soup, mocha (lots of it), cappuccino, walnuts, pine cones, mouldy wood (sounds terrible, smells great) with a twig of mint in the mix. Some raisins and a hint of (good) rubber. Surprising depth for a whisky so young.

Full mouthfeel and feisty from the start. Loads of spices (cloves and licquorice in the lead), some Far East tea with a leaf of mint, but then the sherry takes over. Raisins, nuts, glazed orange peel. This is accompanied by a nice development of smoke. Before the peat can truly express itself, the mocha and cappuccino return. Yep, the PX cask clearly put its foot down and tamed this young spirit. Quaffable without water.

Wonderfully long finish on sweet and candied fruit with a smoky edge. Even at the death the persistent twig of mint – which I was not expecting – remains, until your mouth is left somewhat dry.

What an impressive Kilchoman. 90 EUR may not be cheap, but it is very, very good indeed. This might just be the best Kilchoman I have tried so far. Well done!

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