Our Rating System
85
Overall Score
86
Nose
87
Palate
83
Finish
February 24th, 2024
@ Home / Portland, OR
David Zumini

Kilchoman Blanc de Blancs Finish

Impex Cask Evolution 02/2023

Distillery

Kilchoman

Type

Islay Scotch

Age

NAS

Strength

56.2%

Cask Type

Blanc de Blancs
Bourbon

Edition

02/2023

Cask No.

1108/2016

Price Paid

$138 / bottle

Tasting Notes

A very pleasant nose that evolves into bigger, bolder flavors on the palate. The cask really shines through on this one - I get a lot of oaky, chardonnay vibes all throughout which pair nicely with the smokiness from the peat. Kinda makes me wonder what a peated chardonnay would be like...

Is this my favorite Kilchoman release? I don't think I'd go that far. But it's quite tasty, with a unique and very interesting cask finish. Well worth a dram if you can find one.

Appearance

Color

Clarity

Clear
Hazy
Opaque

Legs

Slow
Medium
Fast

Nose

Sweet melon, tropical fruit, & lemony citrus followed by just a hint of smoke and toffee-like sweetness.

Cereal

-

Fruit

Lemon
Melon
Tropical Fruits

Organic

-

Spice

-

Wood

Smoke

Other

Toffee

Palate

The peat and smoke are immediately apparent on tasting, with lemon citrus notes. The wine grapes really come through here for me - the cask influence shows with an oaky, chardonnay likeness.

Sweetness

Dry
Semi-Dry
Medium
Semi-Sweet
Sweet

Mouthfeel

Smooth
Medium
Harsh

Flavor

Light
Medium
Rich

Cereal

-

Fruit

Citrus
Lemon
Wine Grapes

Organic

Peat

Spice

-

Wood

Oak
Smoke

Other

Salt

Finish

It finishes a lot like an oaky, yet buttery smooth chardonnay to me. It's a rather dry finish, too - almost tannic in nature. I'm left with a hint of smokey saltiness that lingers pleasantly.

Cereal

-

Fruit

Wine Grapes

Organic

-

Spice

-

Wood

Oak
Smoke

Other

Salt

Empty Glass

Wisps of smoke remain, with subtle sweet fruit and brown sugar.