UISGE 2019

Edellisestä Uisgeestani olikin jo aikaa (2014), joten hirvittävän aktiiviseksi Uisge-kävijäksi minua ei pääse kutsumaan. Tänä vuonna kuitenkin kalenterit ja planeetat asettuivat oikeisiin asentoihin jolloin pitihän tämä mahdollisuus hyödyntää.

Mikään suunnitelma ei kestä ensikontaktia. Ajatukseni siitä mitä maistelisin menivät tietysti uusiksi heti kättelyssä. Olin miettinyt tarjolla olevien (todennäköisesti huikeiden) viskien, kuten Ardbeg Lord of Isles, maistamista mutta päädyin kuitenkin siihen, että haluan vähän enemmän monipuolisuutta ja erilaisia makuelämyksiä. Ja onhan se niinkin, että Uisgessa on jonkin verran hälinää vaikka paikalla oli heti ovien avauduttua klo 15, joten viskiharvinaisuuksista ei saisi sitä kaikkea irti mitä toivoo.

Tästä Uisge-matka alkoi.

Aloituksen arpominen oli yllättävänkin hankalaa. Taliskerin 18-vuotias tuntui sopivalta pienen pohdiskelun jälkeen. Hyvä, syvä ja pitkämakuinen saarten juoma.

Yllättäen ja pyytämättä suunnitelma vaihtui samantien täysin erilaiseen. Suosittelujen kautta löytyi lasista GlenAllachie:ta. Kuulopuheiden mukaan tislaamo on sekä uusi että vanha - se on tehtyt vuosikymmeniä viskiä pääasiassa blendeihin ja nyt lähihistoriassa se on tullut mukaan Single Maltien monipuoliseen maahan ja ensimmäiset pullot ilmestyvät myös Alkoihin lähiaikoina. Maistuva, perushyvä viski. Tätä pitää maistaa uudestaan vähän rauhallisemassa ympäristössä.

Highland Parkin setup oli näyttävä.

Uisgen ensimmäinen pihvi, jonka tiesin haluavani ehdottomasti maistaa. Se on tietysti Octomore ja tässä tapauksessa 6-vuotias yhden tynnyrin pullote. Huikea kokemus, jossa yhdistyi Octomoren luonteenomainen väkevä turvesavu ja maku hyvin öljyiseen kokemukseen. Dramfoolin perustaja jutteli , tätä kehuessani, että hänen kauttaan voisi hankkia vaikka oman Octomoren tynnyrin jos pullo ei riitä.. Tämä viski jäi mieleen. 

Eikä Octomore ollut ainoa loistava Dramfoolin pulloista. Port Charlotte 15yo Single Cask on myös voittaja. Erittäin upea Port Charlotte vanhempana kuin koskaan - tämä tynnyri on alkupään PC tuotantoa ja 15 vuoden ikääntyminen on ollut makua lisäävä prosessi. Öljyisyys on tässäkin vahvasti läsnä, viski on muhkea, maukas, miedon savuinen/turpeinen ja jälkimaku - se on erittäin pitkä.

Port Charloten jälkeen piti vähän nollata makumaailmaa, Redbreast Lustau maistui yllättäen äskeisen kokemuksen jälkeen hyvältä. Erittäin positiivinen kokemus. 21-vuotias voittaja jäi maistettavaksi toiseen kertaan.

Jamesonin maistaminen ei ollut suunnitelmissa, mutta kuitenkin siihen päätyi kun keskusteli heidän edustajan kanssa. Crested oli positiivinen kokemus. Viski puraiseekin alussa aika ärhäkästi mutta pehmenee nopeasti ja lopputulos on miellyttävä. Jälkimaku on lyhyt, mutta tämä toimisi hyvin illanistujaisissa - helppo mutta viski.

 Seuraavaksi suuntana oli Suomen tarjonta ja Valamon 6-vuotias. Hyvin heidän viski kehittyy, vaikka tässä itselle tuli sellaisia makumielleyhtymiä jotka eivät liity viskiin mitenkään. Hämmentävää, mutta odottelen tämänkin kanssa toista maistelukertaa. Kirkkoviinikyspytetty Valamo on erittäin mainio kokemus sen sijaan - monipuolinen, tuhti ja maukas. 

Uisgeessa näkyi myös tuttuja Turusta!

Vihdoin oli aika päästä Bowmore-maisteluun. Listalla oli 15yo, Vaulta Edition 1, Tempest V, Devil's Cask II ja 25yo. Mahtava sarja viskejä. Vaultin suolaisuus miellyttää edelleen, Tempest maistui mainolle myrskylle mutta voitoin vei Devil's Cask II. 25yo Bowmore on myös mahtava ja täyteläinen viski, mutta Devil's Caskin intensiteetti ja maun pirullinen kokonaisuus kruunasi illan.

Bowmore-maistelun jälkeen silmiin osui Octomoren 8.4. Ei pettänyt odotuksia, vaikkei ihan samaan pääse kuin Dramfoolin 6yo. Octomoret on vain hyviä omassa suussa.

Writer's tears toimi hyvin Octomoren jälkeen makujen nollaaja. Maistuikin vielä. Yllättävän hyvä irkkuviski jota voisi maistaa toistekin!

Teerenpelin Savu tuli maistettua viime vuonna. Tynnyrivahva Savu on monta luokkaa miedompaansa parempi versio. Jälleen yksi Teerenpeli mikä nousi listalle "tätä on maistettava uudestaankin".

Kilchoman Loch Gorm 2018. On se vaan hyvä.  Itse olen pitänyt eniten Gormin ensimmäisestä versiosta, mutta tämä 2018 versio kisaa sen kanssa aika tiukasti paremmuudesta.

Devil's Cask III löytyi maistettavaksi. Toimi tässäkin vaiheessa - mahtavan pirullinen maku tässäkin versiossa!

Port Charlotte 10yo versio 3 maistui Port Charlottelta. Devil's Caskin jälkeen ei ollut parhaassa paikassa eikä pärjää 15yo Single Cask serkulleen mutta ehdottomasti Port Charlotte jota pitäisi maistattaa muillakin. Pidän tästä suunnasta mihin PC on menossa.

Springbank 9yo poikkesi hyvin paljon muista Springbankeista mitä on tullut maistettua aiemmin. Ei huono lainkaan tämäkään.

Mitä olisikaan viskimessut ilman absinttia? Maistuuhan nämä edelleen. 

Kokonaisuutena ilta oli monipuolinen ja maistuva. Illan parhaiksi itselle jäi Octomoren ja Port Charlotten Single Caskit sekä Devil's Cask II & III. Nuo osuvat omaan maailmaani parhaiten juuri itseä puhuttelevien elämysten kautta: savua, turvetta, nokea ja ölyisen monipuolista tuhtia makua joka ei lopu kesken.

Happy Midsummer! Hyvää Juhannusta!

Despite the Brexit news (the flow of Whisky cannot be interrupted!) I wish you all awesome Midsummer and Summer.
Here is a nice Whisky for this summer: 2007 distilled and 2010 bottled one of the first Kilchoman I got to know!

Enjoy your dram!

Ardbeg Perpetuum and Kilchoman Loch Gorm 2015

On the whisky news side, in case you have not noticed yet, there are two magnificent drams: another will arrive soon and the other one is already here.

Ardbeg Perpetuum is going to combine Ardbeg tastes of the past, present and the future. It will be on sale 30.5.2015 and it is limited in numbers. Photo by Ardbeg.

Kilchoman Loch Gorm 2015 was released 23.3.2015. The price is £63 which makes this one probably half (or less) the price of the Perpetuum. This is also a limited bottling, but usually there is a bit more slack with Loch Gorms than with Ardbeg Day releases. Excerpt from Kilchoman’s mail

“The Loch Gorm releases are traditionally matured in ex Oloroso sherry butts and this latest edition is no exception. Where the 2015 version differs from the previous year is the use of sherry hogsheads to mature a portion of the whisky rather than just sherry butts.  This edition will also be marginally older than the five year old 2014 version, it being bottled from casks filled in both 2009 and 2010.  “

Photo by Kilchoman

Kilchoman 100% Islay, the 4th

It is snowing. As it is usual in the Nordic countries during winter days. The harsh wind stacks snow into piles and waves. The sun was briefly seen yesterday, but generally is grey and dim. The spring is far away, but there moments during winter which makes this a pleasant time of the year. As long as you have the fire available internally and externally. Your pet bear looks curiously when you sharpen your Skrama and Axe in the camp. It also knows, that soon is the moment to taste the burning peatfire and off to the hunt we go.

Kilchoman is still a young distillery. It has not lived during the ages of legends, but it is surely becoming one. The peatfire it produces is into my liking and has been so for many years already. It has a different characteristics of Nordics weaved into it’s chant, which reminds me about the summer. The perfect contrast for deep winter moments, which can chill the life out of you.

Kilchoman has been producing their 100% Islay series for four years now. It is Islay barley, manufactured and produced in Islay. Lightly peated, but comes with a 50% kick nicely. The color is light, but not as clear as in the photo. It is however very transparent which makes the color easily invisible in the smaller amounts. 

The nose promises of the smoke, freshness and peat. It brings in memories and brings out the sun during a grey day. The nose is actually balanced, with the edge on the smokiness.

The palate is Kilchoman. The pure, smoothed fire of the Kilchoman. It ends up with sweet weaves, but begins with a freshly put out campfire under a sudden summer rain. Ash and coal, peat and smoke dominate the start, but soon the sweet ex-bourbon vanilla and spices emerge. This one is a really good dram. I regret that I did only could get a sample of this. But I am glad I was able to taste this one!

50% potency is a good level for this one. The burn and the peatfire are extremely lovely during a winter day. The smokiness inside and the smoke coming from the stove really complement each other. This is pure and this one is tasty! Well done, distillery masters! You made my day! 

Kilchoman Original Cask Strengh 2014 to ease the winter chillness

The early winter is the most unforgiving time in the Nordics. The temperatures drop, occasionally you get snow, hale or just chilling rain. The wind blows your hair off, and sun is a seldom seen sight. The night arrives early and the day wakes up late. This is the time, when you desire light of many candles, warm stove and drinks that make you feel good. This is a great time to taste different drams and spend time within your castle. I admit, that while I do enjoy the different seasons the long late autumn is the least welcome. Once the snow covers the ground and more chilling temperatures freeze your chin – that’s when the moon and the stars start their winter song too. Meanwhile, I better get into that dram already.

Kilchoman, the newcomer (founded 2005) in Islay distilleries who has brought me lots of nice tastes and experiences. While they don’t have too old drams available yet, they’re getting there. And I must say I’ve liked their drams since 2010. There is just something special about their smoke and feel. This is their first official Cask Strenght release, not counting Club releases. This is their first batch that has been name Kilchoman Original Cask Strength. Distilled 2009, bottled 2014. This is 5 years old stuff that has been vatted from 35 ex-bourbon barrels. 9200 bottles. The good stuff.

Tempered to the mild strength of 59.2% this has a power in it’s nose that will open British dragon’s scent receptors for good. This one kicks good, not faking anything or holding back. If you survive the kick, you will find out about it’s sweetness and peat. There isn’t much smoke in my smoke-o-meter, but I grant that my meter does not read the low levels.

The palate is like a Dragon’s fiery breath that has been accompanied by blaster fire by fanous storm troopers. It hacks your so, that you will get a few flesh wounds – but as we know: it does not matter, since we can enjoy it and take some more. Sweet peat with smoke and fire finally emerge. There are citrus fruits and bard songs, merry dance of pixies where the dragon performs the ballet solo while the maori storm troopers chant in the choir. Yes, it does create confusion and complex feelings. But it is art, so it is a good thing. On the third sip the dragon’s breath calms and psychedelic experiences settle for a terrific smoke and fire, with peaty sweetness and fruits in it. This one has layers and different stories to tell.

The finish is long, tasty and really oily. The smoke is different than what I’ve used to with Kilchoman, but it is still a real good one. Balanced (once you get past the start) and fulfilling also defined this one really well.

I would have thought this would have been really different. You can easily think that “oh, just a ex-bourbon matured – lots of vanilla and not much else besides the smoke” and you would be extremely wrong about it. This is nothing like that. This is a splendid Kilchoman and a extremely good Scotch from Islay. Grab it by it’s horns and fight it – you will enjoy the battle!

Kilchoman Port Cask Matured 2014 : a shiny medicine to ease the surprise of the first snow

September. The month when the new Kilchoman was released! On the sidetrack, Finland got it’s first snow today. In September! The winter may have taken a few too many drams, since it arrived early this year. No, the snow won’t last but this is really exceptional. And thus, it is a good reason to uncap the new Kilchoman dram! This time it’s red. Like a ruby red.

What should we expect? Some of the people say that Kilchoman can’t be really good with port maturation. And on the other hand, in some Finnish forum, there was a debate that what is the port cask maturation anyway? It seems that ages ago the oak casks were used during shipment of port wine into England, instead of actually maturing the wine in the casks. Apparently port wine and casks don’t mix really well, and port wine is usually produced in different kinds of barrels that are not wood. I don’t know the process, but the speculation seems to be that the port wine maturation actually means that oak casks are filled with a cheap port wine first and then – after a huge hangover perhaps – the casks are used to finish or mature the whisky. So it would be a artificial way to make this kind of whisky, since the logistics don’t take as long as a hundred years ago. Perhaps somebody who knows the answer might actually comment how this is actually done. I wonder if this is going to be the next new series that they’ll produce in addition to Machir Bay, 100% Islay and Loch Gorm.

The facts. It is Kilchoman, bottled at 55% and the batch was 6000 bottles. Yes, I am glad I got my hands onto one full bottle this time. It is matured in ruby port casks  for three years and that’s it. Apparently the distillery experimented with different casks and maturation periods and found out that three years was good in this time. 

The color is exceptional. I really like the fresh redness, the ruby-style color that is very vibrant. Red wine and port finishing tend to give out something relatively new to the dram. It is not the everyday cotton coat, it is something that will stand out and make a statement. Also it is very fresh and not gloomy or dark. A similar contrast as a red grapefruit has after eating a lots of ..chicken.

The nose is fresh too. There are fruits and the well known Kilchoman smoke is very nicely present too. Spices mix with some peat. The nose is really good, I think. It has the character and width, but it does not try to drop you off your chair. Elegant and sophisticated surface, raw angry bear is contained but if you look it into eyes – you know are dealing with forces that do not temper themselves.

The palate mixes bared claws with sweet satin. You can easily get wounded, but with one smooth movement that sears through the bones. But you will get a silk bandage. The second strike reveals more sweet port, spices and lemon, smokiness and floral (red roses?) experience. Tough and beautiful, like a ruby. Nuts combined with citrus that gets tempered with sweetness. More sips and the mouth gets warmed up and is ready to experience the bear wearing satin gloves. The palate is into my liking a lot. This is sweet, but smoky and has a wide broad taste that carries on into a finish really well.

The Port Cask lasts and lasts, it has a nice and long finish that will give you a great experience to talk about. Smokiness (yeah!) and oak vanilla are the primary elements in the finish.

And this is just three years old dram! I didn’t really know what to expect, since some people had high doubts about mixing Kilchoman with the port. I am glad I did not listen to them, but hoped for the mastery of distiller’s staff. This does not feel a bit like three years old, instead this one challenges a lots of older drams. It has enough bite and claw to make it hard to ignore and enough royalty to make it noted with respect. In short, I enjoy this one.

There should be one more dram, that is going to be released by Kilchoman during this year. The Cask Strength. While Port Cask was also a CS (55%) and I’ve had a few single casks of Kilchoman, I must say that I am waiting for the upcoming release. I would be surprised, if there would not be something special about it.

Kilchoman Loch Gorm 2014 makes it’s first appearance..

There are of course many drams I do await with anticipation. As you know, I am keen towards new smokes and peatfires and not too keen about too sherryfied experiences. I was really suspicious about the first Kilchoman Sherry Cask that I did skip that totally for a while. It was so dark, looked so sherry filled that it cannot be any good. That is, until I eventually tasted it in a bar. I was blown away how good it was – and of course by that time it was way too expensive to get a bottle. That’s when the first Loch Gorm (renamed Sherry cask) came to rescue. The sharp blade and wits got me away from the deadly darkness of ignorance and got my hands onto Loch Gorm 2013 as soon as possible.

Now that the 2014 version of Loch Gorm has landed, it is a good moment to see how it does and compare it to the previous years version a bit. According to Kilchoman’s site information, the Loch Gorm is the only all sherry cask-matured Kilchoman. First it has been distilled in 2009, then put to Oloroso sherry butts for over five years and then bottled 2014. The 2013 version was finished in Oloroso sherry hogsheads for six weeks – but I don’t know if this the case this year.

The nose does have smoke. It also has toffee-kind of experience. Some spice and perhaps a bit of peat too. I do like it, it is soft and promises a lots of taste.

Palate starts with peat and fruits. It continues with spicy experience and adds more smoke afterwards. This is a very soft dram, with some bite in there. Fruity, but not too much. Sweet, but not too much. There is enough Kilchoman fire and peat in it to make it a very pleasant dram. And the finish goes on for a nice amount of time, leaving enjoyable sensations tingling inside a mouth.

So how does this do? Loch Gorm 2014 (46% btw) is a nice dram. It does not blow me away, it does not inspire too much stories (sorry about that, I’ll get back to those!) but in fact it is a nice whisky that will find it’s place either in tastings, or as a dram enjoyed in a terrace at sundown. It has enough taste to make it work as it is, but it does not create worlds. Easy to play with but you need to be careful in tastings so that it does not suffer from a bad position. Actually, if your tasting series has real strong tastes and experiences, this might just be the one to get it started.

Compared to 2013 version, this one is more smooth, has more depth and less character. This is a Mr Upper Manager jr who just got his position and works his way inside a company so that he makes no mistakes, nor raises his voice. There are no spotlights where this one gets to shine, instead the show runs and works because of him. 2013 version had more bite, more smoke and peatfire and thus it had much more dings in it. But while it made a impression, the taste wasn’t as long in the finish as this one. The dram was more single-minded, but this one is more open to option. The downside is, that the compromise will be a pleasant dram for most of people, but I would love to get this one in cask strength for extra facet. Keep on experimenting, Kilchoman! I hear that there will be a Port finish Kilchoman and a Cask Strength versions coming out late summer/early autumn!

Here is a less edited photo and also the 2013 Loch Gorm. Since there isn’t much difference in color or labeling I think I can reuse the last year’s excellent alien world photo again and again!

Kilchoman Single Cask private bottling for Whisky in Leiden 2014

The Kilchoman drams are sneaking into the age, getting more mileage every year. Last year we got a six years old bottling and this year .. we’ll see. Before that happens, however we can settle for 6 years old single cask, that is just four months short of being qualified to a school in Finland. This dram was made possible by Dutch people who arranged Whisky in Leiden 2014, they ordered a single private cask from Kilchoman for that event. I am glad I got my hands onto one of those bottles.

The specs are: cask strength bottling at 60.4%, ex-bourbon cask with id 142/2007. Distilled 13.6.2007 and bottled 21.2.2014. 245 bottles, of which this one is number 179.

This one was quite fun to photograph. We came up with an idea to use pears and nature, since this is all about those. This is harsh, like a strong late winter storm wind, and pleasant like a early spring sun warming the cliff you sit on. There is a bite of a snake reborn from hibernation and the smoke of bonfire and a pot of coffee boiling just above it. It is an experience, not served to those with lesser histories. This one requires visits to the outer limits to fully enjoy it.

The nose is unforgiving. You will encounter the fiery dragon breath that will smoke your nostrils. Wait and you will find out all that complexity that is in there: pear, lime and peat.

The palate burns, but also brings out the pear as a very dominant taste. Just be careful not to eat any chili or strong spices before this one – or you will be drawn into the land of elemental fire. Smokiness, pear and other ripe fruits can be found too! Peat is not that dominant anymore – in fact this is not like other Kilchomans in that sense.  Second and third sips will enhance peat and fruits a lot, there is a flood of sweetness that will turn into more complex experiences rapidly. Lime and other citrus are also standing out proud when the demon of fire grins and laughs. Oiliness will be more present later and the hot burn does continue.

I did not test this one with any water on it. At least not yet. I did take small sips and let the mouth water them. The experience is rougher that way, but in my opinion it is a way more stronger and pleasant too.

The finish contains the smokiness and peatfire. There are fruits and complexity present too, but I really enjoy the smoke with this one! Later all this will turn into a softness and the afterglow is bright enough to fill in a large hall. I am waiting to get my hands on to seven yo Kilchomans!

 

Kilchoman News: Loch Gorm 2014 coming out early April!

Kilchoman sent an email newsletter about upcoming Loch Gorm 2014. Photo is also by Kilchoman.

I was really fond of the Kilchoman 2013, so I am waiting to get this onto my Glencairn for tasting.

“

In the first week of April we will be releasing the next edition of Loch Gorm. This full ex-sherry cask matured release was filled into fresh Oloroso sherry butts in 2009 and bottled in spring 2014, which creates a unique balance of classic Kilchoman character and rich Oloroso sherry influence.
This is the second Loch Gorm Single Malt to be released and only a limited number will be available worldwide. Each release is differentiated by the distillation and bottling dates on the front of the bottle and carton.

As you may already know this range is named after the famously peaty loch in front of the distillery; Kilchoman draws the water for Loch Gorm from the burn that runs into the loch.

Nose: mixed preserved fruit, particularly lemon and rich peat smoke
Palate: dry cereal flavour develops in honey and biscuit with lingering peat
Finish: richly sweet and smoky

”

Kilchoman (old) News

A short newsflash, what I’ve heard about upcoming Kilchoman products for this year. This is actually a month or so old news already, it somehow escaped my mind totally. But better late than never. I must say I am very curious and waiting with anticipation for these. I did enjoy all 2013 versions of these very much, so I am eager to see where they are going and how nicely Kilchoman matures.
I have loved especially their Cask Strength / club release bottles, so it is going to be a long wait ahead..
Planned Kilchoman releases for 2014 -
- Machir Bay 2014
- Loch Gorm (Spring)
- 100% Islay 4th Edition (Spring)
- Cask Strength Release (Autumn)
- Port Cask Matured (Autumn)

Kilchoman 2007 vintage 6yo – Relax, enjoy and live a little

The dark and stormy late autumn can grow tiring. Lack of light, short days, fog and rain, wind that topples hundreds of trees and smashes electricity grid offline for days. In the dark, it is great to have some relief and escape to warm memories of long past summer. The heat, the sun. Lakes that invite you to swim and dive, rocky shores, small details in twisted pines and reflections. While in the dark, free your mind and feel the summer in your thoughts. There are adventures that await, splendid wonders and strong experiences. But sometimes.. when you feel dark..  pour a dram and enjoy the moment. Life is wonderful.

Kilchoman distillery began it’s production in 2005. Finally they have released their, so far, oldest bottling. Vintage 2007 is 6 years old Kilchoman. It is matured solely in fresh bourbon barrels and it’s release is about 10 000 bottles. I must admit, that I have loved Kilchoman since the first dram I tasted it. Young, smoky, stylish and tasty. For me, it seems that the distillery really puts their heart and skills into it. And younger whisky also goes with faster pace of modern day – you will need more variations and innovations to stay on top. You just can’t do “the same old” again and again. At least I enjoy the different tastes and experiences distilleries produce these days.

The nose is warm and delightful. Peat and smoke, combined with bourbon vanilla and oak. Strong but not aggressive. Powerful but not mindless. There really is character that I do enjoy.

Tasting continues the experience. One of the best Kilchoman for me. Clean, peaty, smoky and broad vanilla that is not overwhelmed. Citrus and smoke. This is a dram for relaxation.  There is no edge, no fist and you don’t get beaten up. This is lingering, stays on your tongue for a very long time. Smoke is a bit different than before, it has evolved to more complex form that can weave some magic to your nervous systems. The finish is really long.

I do like that this one is quite soft. But it is not a runaway soldier. It has teeth, it has power, but they are presented in paladin’s form. Elegant, smooth and shiny – but you know there are thousands of miles behind those eyes. This is one for tastings! Before writing a blog, I took some Machir Bay 2013 first to find out my whereabouts. I do recommend using these two scotch in this order in any tasting. They work out beautifully!

Two latest products of the Kilchoman distillery are Second Club Release and this 2007 Vintage.

the Kilchoman 2013 Club Release, Second Edition

The dream wakes you up. Hiking up the hill, you hear a small waterfall pour downwards. Steps walk in, and you find yourself floating in the air, moving towards the mystical spring. It glitters and sparkles in the moonlight and days and nights pass by. Warm fog surrounding, you wake up in the edge of cliff that strafes the deep gorge. This is still a dream, soft and strange. Is it you that is moving, or the earth that turns as you find yourself a new string of journey?

Kilchoman has released their second club edition. One year ago they had a true single cask release as their first edition of club release, it was sold out very rapidly. This year they decided to include 2000 bottles in their club release. The specs are: cask strength (58.2%), a vatting of 8 selected first fill 2008 bourbon barrels finished in 4 fresh Oloroso sherry butts. Casks are numbered 485-490 and 567+568. Distilled 10/2008 and bottled 4.11.2013. So how does this fare? Unlike usually, this blog entry has been written just when the bottle has been opened the first time. So it may change somehow in the following weeks.

The nose is sweet and deep like a candy store with bookshelves. Oils are surprisingly light and quick, but they do have complex characteristics. A bit like a shapeshifter ninja. The more you nose the glass, the more rich the result is. Smokiness combined with sweetness is a very delightful experience. And I think there is a knight hiding in there somewhere.

First mouthful is sweeeeeeet! Oily, soft, powerful and like sliding down the hill! Smokiness attacks you afterwards and the knight pulls out his sword and hits you a few times on your tongue. But the rich oil is overwhelming and the most enjoyable! Sweetness is real, and it is not bitter.

Finish is nicely smoky and peaty, with some fruits and sweets. The second mouthful reveals more smoke and I must admit, that for me this smoke is very different than what is usually encountered with Kilchoman. A different, less striking, and pleasant. Despite the cask strength, this one is very soft! The knight actually sheaths his sword and tactfully walks away. I predict, that he won’t be appearing after the bottle sits in my whisky case for  a few weeks.

Aftertaste is nice and easy. Smokiness and peat control it, leaving some room for fruits but mostly it is about the smoke. The finish is long enough, but like most of this dram’s characteristics: it is not that prominent and boastful, instead it is like a spirit of a lost royal lady who will touch your cheek gently while you stare her amazed. If you nose the glass, once it is empty.. it is rich in smoke and peat combined with fruity features. Excellent!

What I find lacking, is that this does not wake up a strong story. It has poems, quotes and rhymes, but no real protagonist that would ride me to riddles and wake up the strange. Interesting, but not striking. Stylish, but not bolsterous. On the earth, not traveling the stars. Smoldering, not exploding. Depending on the mood and the situation, this might be just an excellent drink to serve the situation. Not to control it.

I will revisit this one later, but let’s just let it be for a few weeks first.