Kilchoman Port Cask Matured 2018 Edition

Cask type: 30 First und Second Fill-Ruby Port Hogsheads

Vintage: 2014

Bottled: March/April 2018

Age: 3 yo

Strength: 50,0 % abv

Phenol level: 50 ppm

Number of bottles: 10.000

Bottle volume: 0,7 l / 0,75 l

Barcodes:
PCM 23.03.18 18/26
PCM 26.03.18 18/26
PCM 03.04.18 18/26
PCM 04.04.18 18/26
PCM 19.04.18 18/26

Bottle code: 5 060210 701550

Distribution: worldwide

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Following the highly acclaimed first Port Cask matured bottling in 2014, the second limited release from the port wine cask appeared in spring 2018. As there had been no Port Wine single cask bottlings in the meantime, the Port Cask Matured 2nd Edition was also the second Kilchoman Port Cask release ever.

For this release, 30 Ruby Port Hogsheads were selected, all of which were filled in 2014, meaning they are just under 4 years old. These are both 1st Fill and 2nd Fill Port Hogsheads, meaning some of the casks from the 1st Edition were reused here. The edition consisted of 10,000 bottles (1,200 of which were for Germany), bottled with an alcohol content of 50% ABV.

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Nose: medium peaty smoke notes that fade away quickly, behind this fruitiness, which oscillates between red fruit/wine tones and the typical yellow fruit, a bit lively and young looking (hints of new make)

Flavour: fruity wine tones are present, but much less than in the first release, less oily and less dry; bread dough at the end

Finish: medium length, peaty-dry, slightly bitter at the end

Conclusion: Compared to the 1st Port Wine release from 2014, the 2nd release looks much younger and less mature. This is certainly due to the partial use of 2nd fill casks (reused casks of the 1st release), which would have simply needed a little more maturation time. If you like young peaty whiskies with wine cask notes, the 2nd release is drinkable (comparable to some Caol Ila releases with a red wine cask finish, e.g. “Calla”); but compared to the first release it is a bit disappointing.

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