Kilchoman Releases new 100% Sherry Matured 11yo
Kilchoman’s latest release, out on the farm.
100% Islay Sherry Cask Matured
Kilchoman’s 100% Islay Sherry Cask Matured 11 Years Old, was distilled from their 2011, 2012, and 2013 barley harvests, and matured for a minimum of 11 years in ex-oloroso sherry butts.
Bottled at 50% abv. with no added colour or chill filtration, this release combines 16 individually selected first-fill ex-oloroso sherry butts orginally used by José y Miguel Martín, in Jerez, Spain. Ex-sherry casks impart remarkable depth, with pronounced notes of dark fruits, spice and smoked meat, in contrast to the lighter citrus-driven profile more typical of their previous 100% Islay expressions.
Publican barley was grown at Kilchoman between 2010 and 2014, achieving consistently strong yields. The publican distillate showed a clean balance of citrus and malt character, which has since matured well in ex-sherry casks. This release comprises of 16 casks distilled from three individual Publican harvests; 2011, 2012, and 2013, each distilled sperarately the following year. At Kilchoman, they distil two distinct styles of spirit. Their 100% Islay whiskies are crafted exclusively from the barley grown and malted on the farm at the distillery, while Machir Bay, Sanaig, and the rest of their range are produced from commercially malted barley.
“I’ve had my eye on these casks for a while, waiting for the perfect time to bottle them,” Anthony Wills, Kilchoman Founder.
Growing barley on Islay is no easy task. Relentless weather and ever-present wildlife place constant pressure on the crop. Those grains that do endure are often smaller, with a higher ratio of husk and flour, contributing to a richer oiliness and a more textured palate in the resulting whisky.
Beyond the place of growth and malting, there is also a difference in peat levels. Their 100% Islay barley is peated to 20ppm, whereas Machir Bay, Sanaig, and other core expressions are peated to 50ppm. The lighter touch of smoke allows the subtle character of the barley to shine through, a nuance often overshadowed by the bold peat influence in more heavily peated whiskies.
Their 100% Islay range is Islay’s only Single Farm Single Malt Scotch Whisky. It represents the revival of traditional farm distilling – growing barley before malting, distilling, maturing and bottling every bottle of their 100% Islay range on site.
Kilchoman’s 100% Islay Sherry Cask Matured release differs significantly from their recent 100% Islay 15th Edition, which was matured exclusively in ex-bourbon barrels for nine years.
