Kilchoman Saligo Bay
Cask type: Ex-Bourbon Barrels
Bottled: since 2014
Age: 5 yo
Strength: 46,0 % abv
Phenol level: 50 ppm
Bottle volume: 0,7 l
Bottle codes:
SAL 15.09.15 15/30
SAL 17.06.16 16/14
SAL 24.10.16 16/76
SAL 27.02.18 22/18
SAL 12.12.19 19/158
SAL 21.03.21 21/34
SAL 31.03.21 21/49
SAL 01.04.21 21/53
SAL 01.09.21 21/142
Barcode: 5 060210 700577
Distribution: Travel Retail Exclusive
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In 2013, Kilchoman released Coull Point, the first exclusive bottling for the British travel retail chain ‘World of Whiskies’. This was followed in 2014 by Saligo Bay, named after a rocky bay on Islay’s west coast, for the international travel retail sector. Saligo Bay is a vatting of 5-year-old ex-bourbon barrels.
Saligo Bay was first shipped to Sweden in 2014 to be listed on the Scandinavian ferries and it was then only in late 2015 when it became available elsewhere. As a result, the relevant sources on the Internet list the year of first appearance as 2014, 2015 and even 2016.
At the beginning of 2025, Kilchoman reorganised its travel retail portfolio and discontinued Saligo Bay.
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Tasting notes: “dust-dry, young and fresh”
Nose:
At first clear, but not all dominating peat smoke notes, of the ashy-dry type; behind or interwoven with this: fruity sweetness, Kilchoman fruit compote note clearly perceptible, but rather discreet. Next to it citrus notes, a little vanilla, coconut, honey, nuts and very light furniture polish. Rather fresh and light-looking. Slightly alcoholic-pungent and also slightly metallic.
Taste:
Typical Kilchoman sweetness of cooked yellow fruits on a very dry base. Vanilla, tingling alcoholic pungency, slightly metallic, only very little bitterness at the end, hardly any wood tones.
Finish:
Medium length, very dry. In the end slightly bitter.
Conclusion:
Nice rather fresh and light bourbon whisky without disturbing overtones. Reminiscent of late Kilchoman quarterly releases. You can see its youth (slightly metallic, not very complex, hardly any wood tones), but it is very fruity and palatable.