20th Anniversary Party on 6 September 2025
The highlight of the numerous celebrations marking Kilchoman’s 20th anniversary this year was undoubtedly the gala party held on Islay on 6 September.
Kilchoman invited 230 guests, companions of the distillery over the last 20 years. Among them were importers from 35 countries worldwide, all shareholders, representatives of the companies José y Miguel Martín and Forsyths, many employees, from the first Kilchoman manager Malcolm Rennie to the youngest stillman, representatives of other Islay distilleries and the island’s hotels and whisky bars, as well as a few select representatives of the writing profession, including Dave Broom, Graham Ward and yours truly.
The celebrations began with a champagne reception accompanied by the Islay Pipe Band. In his subsequent speech, Anthony Wills reviewed the distillery’s eventful history and thanked the guests in moving words for what they had done for Kilchoman, each in their own field.
The guest speech was then given by Michael Fraser Milne, owner of Whisky Galore and good friend of the Wills family, who had the audience in stitches with his many amusing anecdotes.
After a delicious meal, which included whisky from the last remaining Oloroso sherry cask from 2006, dancing began in the marquee in front of the Visitor Centre.
A truly magnificent and perfectly organised party!
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