Kilchoman Machir Bay (bottled 2017), 46%

Review #615

Machir Bay is the entry level expression from Kilchoman and is a mix of first fill Bourbon barrels, which are finished in Oloroso Sherry butts. Young and fresh in the smell. Peat, hay and hints of citrus and toffee. Sweet malted barley and vanilla as well.

The classic Kilchoman farm-like character is the first thing I notice in the taste. Peat and citrus. The sweetness comes forward in the finish alongside hints of the Sherry maturation. Loads of vanilla and hints of oak and dried fruit sweetness.

It is a bit young, but if you give it some time to open up and make sure it isn’t too cold, you will not be disappointed. The Sherry notes are not dominant, but shows in the finish, which is the best part of this whisky, in my opinion. I will give this 85/100 (21/21/22/21).