Kilchoman 2006 Single Sherry Cask #369
70cl / 59.6%
£89.00
- Cask type: Refill Sherry Hogshead
- Malt type: Single Malt
- Region: Scotland
- Chilfiltered: No
- Coloring: No
Tasting Notes
Smoke, Peat, Dried Fruits and Coffee
Oak, Smoke Dark Chocolate, Coffee and Dried Fruit
Long Finish, Coffee, Smoke and Dark Chocolate
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A foundational single cask release from Kilchoman's first year of distillation, blending powerful peat with rich sherry.
At-a-Glance
Cask #369 is a highly significant bottling from Kilchoman, drawn from the earliest spirit produced at the distillery, capturing the initial, aggressive interplay of Islay peat and refill sherry.
| Field | Details |
| Distillery / Bottler / Country & Region | Kilchoman Distillery / Official Bottling / Islay, Scotland |
| Category | Single Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky |
| Age / Vintage / Bottled | NAS (Likely 5–8 Years Old) / Distilled 2006 26 / Bottled N/A (Est. 2011–2014) |
| ABV & Size(s) | 59.6% ABV / 70cl |
| Cask / Treatment | Single Refill Sherry Cask #369 (Butt or Hogshead) |
| Natural Colour | Yes (No colour added) |
| Non-Chill-Filtered | Yes (Non-chill-filtered) |
| Cask Strength | Yes (Bottled at 59.6% ABV) |
| Bottle count / Outturn | Low, precise count not stated. Estimated 250–500 bottles |
| Intended channel | Specialist Retailers or Distillery Exclusive |
| Packaging | Standard Kilchoman bottle and carton |
| Notes on discrepancies | Cask size (Butt vs Hogshead) and precise outturn are often disputed among single cask lists. |
Historical Context
The 2006 vintage is paramount, representing the earliest distillation stock after the distillery's launch in late 2005. This period marks the birth of the modern Farm Distillery movement in Islay. Releases from 2006 were crucial, as they were used to validate the quality of the spirit at a young age and fulfilled early "Futures" contracts.
Cask #369 belongs to the distillery’s early single cask programme, which aimed to test the interaction between the heavily peated new-make and various cask types. The decision to bottle these initial casks relatively young (likely 5–8 years, as was common for the 2011/2012 releases) was strategic. This approach captured the intense, powerful synergy between the youthful, aggressive Islay peat and the robust sherry seasoning, yielding a specific, sought-after profile that is now historically significant.
Technical Specification & Variant Map
Cask #369 is defined by its maturation in a single refill sherry cask, resulting in a rich copper colour and being bottled at a high cask strength of 59.6% ABV. As a single cask offering, the liquid is guaranteed to be non-chill-filtered (NCF) and of natural colour.1
The outturn volume is consistently low, typical of single cask releases. Comparable early single casks ranged from 236 bottles for a Bourbon Hogshead to 602 bottles for a Sherry Butt. The absence of a definitive count for Cask #369 suggests it was either a highly active Hogshead or a standard Butt, but the low-volume nature ensures its rarity. The 2006 distillation date confirms this bottling as one of the oldest whiskies sourced from Kilchoman.
Documented variants
Cask #369 (59.6% ABV, Refill Sherry, 70cl).
Other 2006 single casks exist (e.g., Cask #334, Cask #72) but differ in ABV and sometimes cask type (Bourbon or different Sherry finishes).
Variant Matrix
| ABV | Volume | Market | Era cues | Relative desirability |
| 59.6% | 70cl | Specialist Retail / Auction | Cask #369; Refill Sherry 27 | Highest (Specific Cask Focus) |
| 61.1% | 70cl | Specialist Retail / Auction | Other early 2006 Sherry Cask 33 | High (Early Stock, High ABV) |
| 55% | 70cl | Private Bottling / Retail | Other 2006 Single Casks (e.g., Bourbon) 32 | Medium-High (Foundational Stock) |
Packaging & authenticity checklist
The primary authentication details are the clear designation of "Single Cask #369," the distillation year 2006, and the precise strength of 59.6% ABV on the label. Since this is a modern bottling (post-2011), the presentation, including the box, is expected to be in mint or near-mint condition. Low fill or severe label damage would significantly impact valuation.
Regulatory/terminology notes
The high ABV (59.6%) confirms the cask strength status, signifying that the whisky has retained its full concentration and power, a crucial factor for enthusiast appeal. The 2006 vintage date is highly specific, confirming the earliest possible raw material production date, aligning with Kilchoman's ethos of production transparency.
Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes)
A robust, peaty malt intensified by deep sherry notes.
Nose: Rich, dark, and spicy, dominated by stone fruits, fresh barley, and dark spices. The classic Kilchoman peat smoke provides a clean, earthy background.
Palate: Full-bodied, delivering notes of soft peat, heavy fruit cake, rich brown sugar, intense cloves, cardamom, and ginger. This is a classic expression of young, powerful spirit effectively matured in a refill sherry cask.
Finish: Described as smooth and well-balanced, despite the high proof. The peaty smoke lingers, interwoven with the dark fruit and baking spice notes.
Pricing & Market Dynamics (GBP)
The Original RRP (GBP) is not stated by the producer. Current UK retail range (GBP, incl. VAT) for comparable specialist 2006 single casks is estimated between £250.00 and £450.00. Recent UK/EU auction range (GBP, hammer) shows general 2006 single casks selling strongly, typically between £250.00 and £400.00. A listed retail price of £89.00 is deemed highly unlikely to be current, but represents a target sourcing benchmark.
Price Snapshot
| Channel | Date | Bottle spec | Price (GBP) | Notes |
| Specialist Retail (International) | Current | 70cl, 61.1% ABV (Comparable Cask) | 199.95 | Converted from US pricing |
| UK Retail | Current | 70cl, 59.6% ABV (Cask #369) | 89.00 | Likely outdated price, indicating potential sourcing target |
| Auction (EU) | N/A | 70cl, 59.6% ABV (Cask #369) | 380.00 | Estimate based on historical significance and rarity. |
Pricing stratification is heavily influenced by the 2006 vintage, which commands a premium due to its "oldest available Kilchoman" status. Liquidity is medium, but high collector desirability ensures strong margins upon retail placement.
Distillery/Bottler Snapshot
Kilchoman is celebrated as a modern farm distillery and a key player in the Islay market, known for its transparency and high-quality, peated single malts. Its initial 2006 stock is extremely historically relevant, providing the foundation for its subsequent international acclaim.
Sourcing
Target formats/eras: Focus explicitly on any single cask from the 2006 distillation year, particularly sherry casks at Cask Strength.
Red flags to avoid: Confusion with the vatted "Vintage 2006" release.
Condition thresholds: The entire presentation, including the box, must be in mint or near-mint condition.
Margin/velocity expectations: High margin is achievable by exploiting the historical significance. Velocity is medium, targeted at the serious collector market.
