Kilchoman Distillery — Islay Single Malt Whisky

Kilchoman Distillery (pronounced kil-HO-man) is a family-run, independent distillery located on the Isle of Islay, one of the Inner Hebrides islands of Scotland. Situated in the northwest part of the island near Machir Bay, Kilchoman is known for producing single malt Scotch whisky. It is the smallest distillery on Islay but has been expanding since acquiring Rockside Farm in 2015.

History

Kilchoman Distillery was founded by Anthony Wills and began production in December 2005, making it the first new distillery on Islay since 1908. The distillery filled its first casks on December 14, 2005, and began bottling its 3-year-old single malt in September 2009. The inaugural release of Kilchoman whisky also occurred in 2009, and the first "100% Islay" whisky was released in 2011.

Production Process

Kilchoman is unique among Islay distilleries for completing all parts of the whisky-making process on-site. This includes growing barley at Rockside Farm, malting, distilling, maturing, and bottling. The distillery uses a mix of barley grown on-site and malt sourced from the Port Ellen maltings. Notably, Kilchoman is one of six Scottish distilleries that still use traditional floor maltings.

The peat levels of Kilchoman's whiskies vary depending on the source of the malt. Barley malted at Port Ellen is peated to 50 ppm, similar to Ardbeg, while barley malted at Kilchoman's floor maltings is peated to approximately 20 ppm.

Expansion and Partnerships

Since 2023, Kilchoman has been sourcing bourbon casks from Breckenridge Distillery in Colorado, replacing Buffalo Trace, which had been their supplier since 2005. The expansion and new partnerships reflect Kilchoman's growing production capabilities and commitment to quality.

Bottlings

Kilchoman releases several distinct bottlings, each with its unique character:

• Machir Bay (46% ABV): Named after the bay near the distillery, it is a flagship release.
• Loch Gorm (46% ABV): Launched in 2013, with the latest bottling released in 2024, this series is matured in sherry casks.
• Sanaig (46% ABV): Initially released for the French market, it became available worldwide in 2016.
• 100% Islay (50% ABV): This grain-to-glass offering is made entirely from barley grown, malted, distilled, matured, and bottled on Islay.
• Kilchoman PX Sherry Cask Matured 2023: A limited release with full sherry cask maturation, limited to 23,000 bottles.
• Kilchoman 16 Years: Matured in bourbon and oloroso sherry casks, it is the distillery's oldest whisky to date.

Recognition

In 2023, Kilchoman was ranked second in popularity among whisky distilleries by Cask Connoisseur, reflecting its esteemed place in the whisky community.

Kilchoman Distillery stands out for its dedication to traditional whisky-making methods and its comprehensive on-site production process. Its expansion and diverse range of acclaimed whiskies continue to solidify its reputation as a distinctive and cherished producer of Islay single malt Scotch whisky.