Kilchoman Madeira Cask Matured 2021 LE
50% ABV - Islay, Scotland
Nose: Very heavy, earthy peat smoke. Ripe orchard fruits, rosé wine, and brown sugar. The differentiator is peppered leather and wood spices.
Taste: Getting smoked out from burning wet wood, peat smoke, an old leather armchair, and some mixed fruits and citrus. Plum and black cherry.
Finish: Lasting smoke, charcoal, and roasted chestnuts. Moderate sweetness, pomegranate, baked apple and other fruits.
I have tasted quite a few different bottles of Kilchoman over the years… but, interestingly almost half have been single casks! While that is amazing on its own, it also means there has been a lot of variation and I haven’t been able to really dial into a "house" flavour. That’s a primary reason why I bought this bottle. I had tasted some single casks matured or finished in Madeira casks and I had really liked them… so, I figured this would be a great whisky to buy—something to satisfy the Maderia cravings and something to show me what Kilchoman can do for the small batch releases.
Overall, I think that I prefer the single cask versions of this one—however, this is fully matured in Madeira and older than the other bottlings that I have tasted… and I think that adds some extra character.. Kilchoman Madeira Cask Matured is good by itself or by comparison.
Details: 2021 Limited Edition with 17,000 bottles available.
Tasting Notes (Official): Nose: Caramel, orange zest and ripe plums with hints of mixed spices and rich smoke. Palate: Bright citrus zest and peach notes with raisins, walnuts, dark chocolate and integrated smoke. Finish: Juicy fortified wine, burnt sugar, dark fruits and lingering smoked Christmas cake.
Tasted 16 February 2023. (Posted 29 October 2023.)
