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Kilchoman Machir Bay bottled 2014

Average score from 3 reviews and 8 ratings 88

Kilchoman Machir Bay bottled 2014

Product details

  • Brand: Kilchoman
  • Bottler: Distillery Bottling
  • ABV: 46.0%
  • Age: 5 year old
  • Bottled: 2014

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Kilchoman Machir Bay bottled 2014

A youngster from Kilchoman - Don’t know the age, but boy I wish I did sigh. All I know is it’s obviously young, and typically you just want the assurances that you aren’t messing around with jailbait, amiright?
Nose: Delicious farmy style peat - hay, fresh cut grass, citrus sweetness. Palate: Vanilla, grassy peat, hint of new make but not in a bad way, peppercorns...slight hint of some lighter fruits, maybe grapes but I can’t figure it out... Can’t wait until this stuff gets older.... and would love to see an age statement on it ... right Kilchoman? *nudge nudge

This one has been a longtime favorite. I actually liked it better than most of the others in the line up - definitely liked it more than the Sanaig, the red wine finishes of late, and the 5th and 6th editions of the 100% Islay. Nice to see the standard offering boast this level of quality.

Hi Victor, no, I do not equate young with immature, nor do I consider it an insult to the whisky. I think a good distiller who has access to high quality wood can make “mature” whisky at a young age, and I’m of the opinion that if they can do so well with a young whisky, certainly an older version would also likely be very good (not always, but one can hope for such things given that the distiller exhibits what appears to be good habits).
Having said that, I must admit I had not read your post prior to making this review and I must say that I do agree with it. Thanks for your comments, I think it is worthwhile to give that style of description of thought before I post the next review. Slainte

@Mackstine, slainte!

Yes, the solidly good can usually get even better.

@RianC

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.

This was my first Kilchoman too and I can’t disagree with anything you say, except I would, and did buy it again. I have also had the 100% Islay and I’m anxious to try the highly touted Loch Gorm. Thanks for the very thorough review.

@MaltActivist

I've just got back from a very interesting Japanese whisky tasting event. Some good classic Japanese whiskies (Nikka from the Barrel, Hakushu 12, Yamazaki 18, to name a few) coupled with some delicious food made for an extremely satisfying evening.

But I decided to leave early and come back home to the Kilchoman Machir Bay as my last expression of the evening.

Kilchoman and I have a history. Three years ago I tasted a couple of young releases in the presence of Anthony Wills (founder of said distillery) and it was all I could do to prevent my self from spitting the liquid back out in the glass.

This was followed by a three year program on Kilchoman abstinence which was eventually broken by the Kilchoman 2013 Small Batch Release finished in Oloroso sherry casks.

I was floored. What an absolutely amazing whisky.

Anthony Wills here is another apology from me for writing you off.

This got me interested in other, newer, Kilchoman releases and when I heard good things about the Machir Bay I just had to get my self one of their dumpy bottles.

Machir Bay 2014 is a vatting of 5 and 6 year old ex-bourbon barrels and Oloroso sherry butts and is bottled at 46% ABV

Nose: Very sweet peat. Sugar cane. White wine. Chardonay. Very tart. Crisp. Fresh white oak. Fennel. Lime. Raspberry. Cumin. Cedar plank. Vanilla. Let it breathe and white dough comes wafting through. Finally pineapples. White grapes. A very fresh and lovely nose.

Palate: Very smooth. Extremely smooth to drink. Coffee. Apricots. Pears. Peat. White grape. Black peppers. Macaroon cake. Cumin seeds. Very palatable.

Finish: Smooth. Peat. Mint. Oily. Cumin. White melon lozenge.

This is another extremely accomplished spirit from Kilchoman. Wonderfully smooth and completely thought through.

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