Kilchoman Fèis Ìle 2023 Tasting Pack Review
Background
For those of us unable to attend Fèis Ìle 2023, Kilchoman was kind enough to put together a sampler pack and virtual tasting. Just one catch - that virtual tasting took place at 9 AM EST, and I like my day job. Full disclaimer, I tasted these meant to watch the tasting after the fact… anddddd still haven't. So welcome to my thoughts on these, unencumbered by any preconceived notions from Kilchoman!
Some details on each item in the tasting below, and then rolling right into the notes!
Loch Gorm 2023 Edition - An annual oloroso cask release from Kilchoman, this edition comprises 22 casks: 8 distilled in 2013, 6 distilled in 2014, and 8 distilled in 2015.
Cognac Matured 2023 - Distilled in 2016 and fully matured in 31 Cognac barriques. This will be their first fully matured in Cognac casks offering.
Fino Sherry Cask Matured 2023 - The second Fino sherry matured release from Kilchoman. It’s matured for a minimum of five years in Fino sherry butts previously used by Jose y Miguel Martin.
Fèis Ìle 2023 - This release was only available to buy at the distillery on Fèis Ìle Day and is made up of three casks, two bourbon and one sherry, distilled in 2011 & 2012. Those casks were then vatted together and bottled at cask strength.
Kilchoman Loch Gorm 2023 Edition (8 Years, 46%)
Nose: Recently I had butterscotch creme brulee, and the delicate smoke here is reminding me of those charred butterscotch flavors. There’s a gentle and very light red fruit here too, but that’s more in the background.
Palate: Stewed peaches, the gentle smoke of Canadian wildfires burning down the East Coast (That’s going to date this review, but seriously gentle smoke), candied orange peels.
Finish: Saltwater taffy, nutmeg, charred berries. Not super long or robust, but a fairly standard salty/smoky Islay finish with hints of sweetness.
Good (5/10)
Overall: It’s good! It doesn't knock my socks off with flavor, but it’s a well balanced and tasty pour. The nose is actually really inviting, and the rest of the sip doesn’t quite live up to that promise.
Kilchoman Cognac Cask Matured (7 Years, 50%)
Nose: Lemon tea, herbal and citrus forward. Penicillin (the cocktail), it’s a little cough drop-y too. The fancy, herbal Ricola ones though.
Palate: Lemon curd, it’s honestly really citrus forward and I’m digging it. There’s an underlying char note, as well as some toffee and honeysuckle too.
Finish: Yup more lemon/citrus, but more emphasis on the char. Peppercorns, and some assorted spices round things out.
Very Good (6/10)
Overall: Is it fairly one note? Yup! But I like that note! The cognac influence is definitely front and center driving the citrus notes. This is apparently Kilchoman’s heavily peated run, but it’s a pretty manageable smoke throughout and it clearly plays nice with the cognac.
Kilchoman Fino Sherry Cask Matured (5 Years, 50%)
Nose: Fresh cut apple, salted honey, pretty orchard fruit forward!
Palate: Definitely the most peat forward of the three so far. Stewed peaches, burnt vanilla, again salted honey, and toasted oak.
Finish: The peat mellows into a more sherry driven finish. Burnt berries, salted caramel, and barrel spices
Good (5/10)
Overall: I don’t know, there’s just not a ton to write home about here in my opinion. It’s already, but the flavors are a little muddled and honestly a bit washed out. It does not have any glaring flaws but I also dont feel a strong need to revisit it.
Kilchoman Fèis Ìle Release (7 Years, 55.3%)
Nose: Creme brulee, caramel syrup and canned pears. Sweet and syrupy with hints of iodine and peat influence.
Palate: More canned syrupy fruits, burnt caramel, applewood smoke. A bit like a slightly burnt fruit pie dosed in honey.
Finish: Seaweed, honey and more spiced fruit cake! Sweet but not cloyingly so.
Very Good to Great (6.5/10)
Overall: I’m not necessarily surprised this is my favorite of the bunch, but I am surprised how fruit forward it is. Smoke, salinity, fruit and caramel/vanilla notes all blend together consistently from nose to finish. Good stuff.
