Kilchoman's Machir Bay is an excellent single malt Scotch whisky from the isle of Islay. The distillers use whisky which has been matured in ex-bourbon barrels and Oloroso Sherry butts, resulting in a well-balanced flavour profile, with highlights of vanilla biscuits, light fruit and wafts of warm peat smoke. A top expression from Islay's farm distillery.
Citrus zests, crumbly vanilla biscuits and layers of elegant peat smoke.
A generous burst of tropical fruit and dried raisin opens the palate. Warming smoke continues to waft playfully.
Sherried fruits and sprinkle of cracked black pepper.
This is a go-to favorite of mine and it's presence on a bar usually signals a better than average scotch selection. Along with 12 year Caol Ila this sits prominently and perpetually half-full in my office. I like this neat or with a splash of water. Try this in an old fashioned - I don't think you'd regret it.
Based on smell, taste and drinkability, I can recommend this without hesitation. Reading some of the negative comments below, I can only suggest that these people try adding cokeacola!!! Enough said.
It has been a while since I had a Kilchoman in my collection so seeing this in the sale made me think it was time to become reacquainted. yes, this is a decent NAS Islay malt @46% and non-chillfiltered. However, on the same evening I compared it to Laphroaig's Quarter Cask (which I bought for £33) - another NAS Islay malt this time @48% and ncf - and Quarter Cask, to my taste, was far superior. I'll enjoy the rest of my Kilchoman but next time I'll stick to the QC.
I’ve wanted to try this for quite some time, your recent offer made it a ‘must do’. I wasn’t disappointed, it’s an Islay, but not like any other. Notes of hazel nut/almond with an honey/Amaretto like finish, This is a bit special, the finish isn’t long lasting, but pleasant and satisfying. This is a very worthy addition to the Islay malts, and sufficiently different to generate its own following. Delicious!
Spotted this in The Britannia pub, a short walk away from the Shard in London. Great pub with a huge range of whiskies, including this one. The merest splash of water opened it up, and there it was, smoky loveliness. Not overpowering or medicinal but smoky enough. A smashing dram, but at the price I would have been sneaped if it hadn't been. Lovely but fierce on the pocket.
