Kilchoman – Machir Bay (70cl, 46%)

Machir Bay is a peated Islay single malt from Kilchoman, named after the beach just west of the distillery. It is bottled at 46% in a 70cl bottle, non-chill-filtered and in natural colour. The whisky is a vatting of malt matured in bourbon and sherry casks, with a high proportion of ex-bourbon barrels. These bring citrus and vanilla, while the sherry adds fruit and spice. The nose has lemon zest, vanilla, peaches, pears and a coastal note. The palate brings tropical fruit, sultanas, warming smoke, honey and butterscotch. The finish is long, with black pepper, sea salt and maritime peat smoke.