Being a big fan of the regular Machir Bay I leapt straight to K&L’s site the second this Kilchoman Machir Bay Cask Strength was announced. A fully un-cut representation of their flagship whisky aged in 90% Buffalo Trace bourbon barrels and 10% Sherry barrels. What’s not to love about it?
In K&L’s Words: Kilchoman Machir Bay Cask Strength
“The ultra limited “Kilchoman Tour 2017″ a cask strength version of Machir Bay bottled to commemorate George and Peter’s whirlwind 1500-mile tour of the western United States. Starting September 4th, they’ll be loading up the Kilchoman Land Rover and traversing the expansive Left Coast hosting 16 official tastings in cities across the west. Hundreds of unofficial tastings will occur as they weave their way through California, Oregon and Washington, but only 840 lucky individuals will get to enjoy this special expression of Islay’s Farm distillery, Kilchoman. Bold, bright, fresh and pointed, Machir at cask strength is only bested by the view of the bay itself.”
You read that right, only 840 bottles. That’s insanely limited, but hey it’s a heck of a deal at only $75 and after getting to try it at the SCWC Kilchoman event last week, and then reviewing it here, I’m even happier that I jumped on this bottle as soon as I did. As of writing this K&L still has a bunch left so if this review intrigues you jump on it now before they’re gone!
Kilchoman Machir Bay Cask Strength Info
Region: Islay, Scotland
Distiller: Kilchoman
Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: ex-Bourbon (90%) ex-Oloroso (10%)
Age: NAS
ABV: 60%
Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Price: $75
Kilchoman Machir Bay Cask Strength Review
EYE
Golden honey
NOSE
Smoke, honey, malty sweetness, saline, fruit, iodine, citrus, vanilla, minerality and a bit of dried strawberries.
PALATE
Smoke, honey, hazelnuts, cinnamon, orchard fruit, saline, minerality, vanilla, citrus and a touch of dark fruity sweetness and an herbal nature.
FINISH
Long peaty fade with layers of minerality, saline, oily spice and dried strawberries.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Well balanced, full body and an oily thick feel.
OVERALL
Kilchoman Machir Bay Cask Strength is fantastic and I kinda feel like I’m showing restraint by only giving it a 91. Despite being a bold strong whisky it carries subtle notes that give it depth, dimension and an almost austere complexity. It holds a solid presence across the senses and triggers that “I want more” response in the glutenous pleasure center of my brain after every sip.
Adding water to the Kilchoman Machir Bay Cask Strength opens it up and reveals a bit more of that lovely minerality that comes from their spirit and adds to the dynamic nature of this whisky. This is awesome on so many levels and like the 2016 and 2017 Machir Bay releases it reminds me of old Ardbeg which is never a bad thing. If you can get your hands on a bottle, and are a Kilchoman fan, you won’t be disappointed.
SCORE: 91/100 (A-)
