Kilchoman Spring (2010 Release) 70cl Whisky

“A soft, yet intensly phenolic nose, lovely peat reek which is slightly medicinal in character with hints of carbolic, charred oak and saline. The sherry influence is restrained and sits in the background adding a lovely sweetness, mingling with a late wood smoke. Quite sweet on entry and extremely sooty. Peat smoke and dust run rampant along with hints of ‘new make’ cereal, followed by more soot! And……….. more soot! The alcohol hits the mid palate with some intensity and when it passes there is a faint suggestion of the sherry cask. Very long with a distinct scrubby/vegetal (not a sherry vegetalness)/ undergrowth/ bog myrtle character. Fishing with hints of dark fruit and wood smoke. With water a great deal of the peat reek and sherry cask are stripped away leaving the youthful cereal as the predominant character, however some delightful candied orange puts in an appearance and the soot only really comes through on the finish. One can see why it has not been bottled at 40% as the elevated alcohol is key to its intensity, and the brief flirtation with the sherry cask rounds it out nicely. It’s very enjoyable and unlike any other of the Islay distilleries, and that’s a compliment. ”

Master of Malt Customer