New Kilchoman Sauternes Cask Matured Hits the Market
Kilchoman has released a new expression, the Kilchoman Sauternes Cask Matured 2024. This marks the third iteration of the brand using this type of cask. The first, released in 2016, had a five-year maturation in Sauternes casks, and the second, released in 2018, had a five-month maturation in Sauternes casks.
In the making of the 2024 Sauternes release, 22 percent of the casks contained fresh Sauternes, while 78 percent contained refill Sauternes. The refill casks had been used mostly to finish the spirit, so their impact on the final whisky was less significant.
Anthony Wills, Kilchoman founder, said: “After a six-year absence, the Sauternes Cask Matured Kilchoman is back! The previous edition was a Sauternes finish, now it’s time for a return to the full power that complete maturation in these wine casks brings.
“Waves of sweet fruits and butterscotch balanced with our Islay peat smoke, a delicious dram.”
New Kilchoman Sauternes Cask Matured Hits the Market
In addition, tasting notes of the expression exhibit aromas of barbecued pineapple, candied ginger, and buttery flavors. Sauternes Cask Matured 2024 (50% ABV) will be available from Kilchoman distributors worldwide starting this week.
The Kilchoman distillery, located in northwest Islay, close to Machir Bay, produces single malt Scotch whisky. Anthony Wills set up Kilchoman and remains an independent distillery, still owned and operated by the Wills family.
Unlike other distilleries on Islay, Kilchoman Distillery is committed to a “farm-to-bottle” philosophy. The barley is grown directly in the distillery fields, the floor maltings are operated by the distillery, and water is sourced from an adjacent spring.
The distillery began production in December 2005 and is the first distillery built on Islay since 1908. Barley is grown on Rockside Farm and most of the malt is produced on-site. Small portions may be used from the Port Ellen maltings. It remains one of the only six distilleries to produce with 100% natural flavors.
