I was keen to sample this Kilchoman 13 Year Old, as some of Kilchoman’s past small batch or limited-editions which have used Calvados cask maturation or finishing are amongst my favourite expressions from the distillery. The Calvados cask influence is evident with the crisp apple notes on the palate, but discreetly balanced by citrus notes and toffee sweetness. I really enjoyed the lingering biscuit and toffee notes on the finish, and the waves of maritime peat smoke throughout.
This older Kilchoman expression is a whisky you need to take the time to enjoy, I felt the majority of the notes and flavours more fully developed given a little time after pouring. Since 2005, Kilchoman has been producing some fantastic whisky, with many enthusiasts eagerly anticipating older expressions – I think this Kilchoman 13 Year Old shows a more refined style of smoke, and I’m keen to see more mature expressions in the future.
