Kilchoman “unpeated” Sherry Hogshead Single Cask 554/2012 [for Cinderella Whisky Fair 2020]

Cask No.: 554/2012

Cask type: Oloroso Sherry Hogshead

Date Filled: 23.08.2012

Date Bottled: 16.12.2019

Age: 7 yo

Strength: 56,3 % abv

Phenol level: n/a ppm

Number of bottles: 331

Bottle volume: 0,7 l

Distribution: Viking Cinderella Whisky Fair 2020

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Due to a breakdown of the kiln Kilchoman produced an “unpeated” whisky from the farm’s own barley for a short time in late Summer 2012 (we reported).

Since the “low wines and feints receiver” from which the spirit still is filled was not laboriously emptied in between the alternating distillation runs with peaty Port Ellen malt, however, the result was a whisky with a slight peaty smoke note, which is why Kilchoman uses the term “unpeated” in quotation marks. 75 casks were filled with this rarity.

The first two casks were bottled in December 2019 and released in February 2020. These are two Sherry Hogsheads, in which the whisky was matured for more than 7 years. Besides the cask 554/2012 which could be tasted and bought at the floating whisky fair “Viking Cinderella Whisky Fair” (13.-15.2.2020), which is listed here, the cask no. 553/2012 was bottled for the well-known British wine and spirits dealer Berry Bros. & Rudd.

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Tasting notes

Archer:

Nose:
Exaggerated aromas of sherry: grapes, raisins, dried figs and dates, leather – but where is Kilchoman there? Very subtle, coming from the background, a fine smoky note. I wouldn’t call it “unpeated”. Looks very sweet and thick. Rum-grape-nut chocolate, marzipan. After standing for a while, very pronounced spicy notes appear: nutmeg, pepper, marjoram, rosemary. 84

Taste:
Oily, creamy, strong – and very sweet. Unusual for a Kilchoman, these sherry aromas can also be clearly identified on the tongue. Leather and tobacco, red grapes, raisins, dried dates. Some match wear. Dry wood, mild, greasy smoke. 83

Finish:
In the sweet, not too long finish, menthol is increasing. The sweetness of the fruit is still very penetrating and dominant. Sometimes you think that through all the fruit you can taste the very special Kilchomannote that has become dear to the past. But it remains a pious wish. 83

A Kilchoman that doesn’t taste like Kilchoman, but rather looks like it’s been topped up with sherry. That may appeal to the audience that likes to grab undisclosed Islay Southcoast smokers from the sherry cask. However, there is no real Kilchoman feeling. (Archer)

83/100