The 100% Islay 13th Edition was distilled from barley grown on the farm at Kilchoman in 2012, 2013 and 2014, it was then matured for a minimum of eight years before 44 bourbon barrels were selected for this year’s release of bottles. The 13th Edition is the first release since 2019 where Kilchoman opted for solely bourbon barrels.
Not only is the barley grown on site but once it’s harvested, but it was also malted using traditional floor malting techniques; first germinating and then smoking the barley, using local Islay peat, to a level of 20ppm to give the whisky its smoky character.
Nose: Malt loaf, toffee apple, banana bread, citrus, lavender, pear drops, sea salt and hints of peat smoke.
Palate: Fresh Vanilla and fragrant peat smoke with caramel, barley blossom, sultanas and hints of spicy oak tannins.
Finish: Silky Viscosity and fresh crumpets, butter and honey.
Once harvested, Islay barley is handmalted on the Kilchoman malt floor,and gently turned twice daily bymaltmen as it germinates.The green malt is then smokedusing peat cut from the Cnoc Dubhpeat banks, the thick peat smokepermeating each barley grain,creating the distinct smoky Kilchoman character.
