Kilchoman – Machir Bay Blue Label (70cl, 46%)

Kilchoman Machir Bay was the first regular bottling from this young Islay distillery. It is bottled at 46% abv in a 70cl bottle. It is a vatting of Kilchoman aged four and five years, matured in first-fill bourbon casks. The four-year-old part had an extra four weeks in Oloroso sherry butts, which softens the peat with sherried aromas and gives a richness beyond its years. The nose has citrus peel, vanilla biscuits and layers of elegant peat smoke. A generous burst of tropical fruit and dried raisins opens the palate, and the finish brings sherried fruit and black pepper.