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

Machir Bay is a peated Islay single malt from Kilchoman, named after a sandy beach almost two kilometres long. It was introduced in 2012 and is part of the distillery's core range. The blue label has been used since February 2025. The vatting is 90 per cent ex-bourbon casks and 10 per cent Oloroso sherry casks, with more active sherry casks now used to add depth and a slightly darker natural colour. The malt is peated to 50 ppm, and the whisky is bottled at 46% in a 70cl bottle, without colouring or chill-filtration. Lemon zest, vanilla, peach and pear meet peat smoke on the nose. The palate is oily, with tropical fruit, sultanas, honey and butterscotch, and the long finish carries black pepper, sea salt and sherry fruit.