Kilchoman – Ballinaby (70cl, 46%)

Kilchoman Ballinaby is an Islay single malt that combines whisky matured mainly in Oloroso sherry casks with a share from ex-bourbon casks, roughly 60% to 40%. It carries no age statement. Introduced in 2025 for travel retail, it takes its name from a farm north of Loch Gorm, where a prominent standing stone is found. It is bottled at 46% in a 70cl bottle, non-chill-filtered and uncoloured. On the nose, raisins, sultanas and orange peel meet strong smoke and mixed spices. The palate brings dark cherries and toffee with savoury barbecued-meat notes and dark chocolate. The finish leaves Christmas spices, peat smoke, brown sugar and cocoa.