Kilchoman Machir Bay bottled 2014

My first purchase of a Kilchoman having tried a few samples at a festival last year. As I'm sure you all know, Kilchoman is Islay's farm distillery and does everything on-site (I believe). Fair play! This bottle is just less than half full and been open almost three months. I'm having it neat.

Nose: Under ripe banana, anise, a hint of stable, brine, gammon, lemon and lime rind, eucalyptus, ash smoke and some medicinal notes (winter green)

Taste: Lemon rind upfront, sour then the fruity banana comes out. The peat comes in as it develops with ash and aniseed rock sticks. A little creamy vanilla. Slight waxy mouthfeel.

Finish: Smoke and ash, pleasantly bitter tannins. Medium - long

Overall: This is very good but it's worth noting that it has improved lots over the few months it's been open. I feel like the young age of this (4 - 7 years at a guess?) stops it from developing complexity - the flavours are quite bold; but I think this style of whisky can sometimes be better for it, if you like your peat! Not one I'll be rushing to buy again but I can't wait for a 10 - 12 year old release; I think it will be a star when it comes of age.

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