Like cask 364 this Kilchoman Plowed Society 351 was chosen by the Plowed folks and to say they know their way around a cask of whisky is an understatement. The second I heard about the bottles coming out I hit up one of the Plowed guys I know who was generous enough to give me large samples of both so I could taste and decide if I wanted to lay down the $250 to get them. Though to be honest even without tasting the samples the answer was an obvious yes.
In Kilchoman’s Words: Kilchoman Plowed 351
“Tingling nose, seaweed, delicate smoke, and austere. Palate front-loads with peat-smoke followed by big sweet malt. Finish calms from aggressive big peat to warmth and sweetness, a well-mannered monster.”
So a big thanks to WhiskyRedhead for the samples which are what I’m actually writing about in the Kilchoman Plowed Society 351 review below. They’re the same casks so even though I haven’t opened my bottles yet -due to so many already being open- they will be soon enough. This is whisky that can’t just sit on the shelf unopened. It’s too darn good!
Kilchoman Plowed Society 351 Info
Region: Islay, Scotland
Distiller: Kilchoman
Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: ex-Bourbon ex-Pedro Ximenez
Age: 5 Years
ABV: 60%
Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Price: $110
Kilchoman Plowed Society 351 Review
EYE
Pale Gold
NOSE
Minerality, salt, iodine, peat, honey, waxy fruit, clove, anise and a light bit of apple and vanilla. When first poured the peat is light and not well represented, but it grows as it opens.
PALATE
Minerality, salt, smoke, apples, honey, charred bread, clove, anise, sage and a light oily “industrial” quality to it.
FINISH
Long peat, mineral water, clove, waxy fruit and chalk.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Excellent balance, round full body and an oily feel that turns a bit drying at the end.
OVERALL
Kilchoman Plowed Society 351 is my favorite of the two Plowed casks, it’s what the 100% Islay Single Cask was trying to be but failed at. They both have a strong minerality to them but in the 100% Islay it overtook everything else; here it’s balanced and perfectly aligned with everything else which allows the fruity, smoky and spicy notes to develop and show more.
This is everything an ex-Bourbon cask Kilchoman should be and displays the excellent spirit that drives this whisky while also showing the significant impact a good quality barrel can have on a spirit. Kilchoman Plowed Society 351 isn’t just a good Kilchoman, it’s just an outright good whisky.
SCORE: 92/100 (A-)
