20th Anniversary of Kilchoman: How to celebrate it

A Virtuoso at Work: 20 Years of Kilchoman

Kilchoman, or more precisely Anthony Wills, showed what a great virtuoso of production and what a "conductor" he has become over these two decades and, together with his team, selected and selected 20 barrels for the 20th anniversary of the brand!

Casks that embody Kilchoman's unique flavour profile and characterise two decades of commitment to craftsmanship.

Anniversary Releases Overview

Kilchoman 14 Years Old – Ex-Bourbon Barrels

Aged in first-fill bourbon barrels, this 14-year-old release showcases a classic Kilchoman character with elegant sweetness and gentle peat smoke.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: Rich and rounded with notes of caramel and toffee, lifted by hints of lemon zest and subtle peat.
• Palate: Smooth and creamy, revealing layers of sweet vanilla, citrus peel, and integrated smokiness.
• Finish: Long and warming with lingering honey and a crisp, slightly smoky citrus note.

Kilchoman 14 Years Old – Ex-Sherry Casks

Matured in sherry casks, this expression is bold and spicy, with a deeper, darker flavor profile and a more pronounced peat character.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: Bold BBQ smoke, black pepper, and rich dried fruits create a powerful first impression.
• Palate: Intense and full-bodied, with warming spices, dates, dark chocolate, and herbal undertones.
• Finish: Long and rich, with sweet spices, smoky BBQ notes, and well-integrated peat.

Kilchoman 15 Years Old – Ex-Sherry Casks

Aged longer in sherry casks, this 15-year-old brings complexity and depth, balancing rich fruitiness with maritime and spicy nuances.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: Soft peppery spice and sweet sherry notes with a hint of coastal salinity.
• Palate: Rich and well-rounded with sherry-soaked fruits, soft smoke, and a savory briny touch.
• Finish: Silky and lingering, offering dark chocolate, ripe fruits, and a smooth interplay of sweetness and smoke.

Kilchoman 18 Years Old – Ex-Bourbon Barrels

The most mature release in the series. This 18-year-old whisky highlights the full impact of bourbon cask aging, delivering depth, richness, and refined complexity.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Full-bodied with butterscotch, vanilla, and caramel, layered over toasted oak. Palate: Robust and sweet with toffee and subtle peat smoke, complemented by a faint maritime salinity. Finish: Long-lasting, creamy with toffee and butter, rounded off by a whisper of coastal smoke.

A Distillery Like No Other

The distillery began production in December 2005,and was the first to be built on Islay since 1908. The distillery uses barley grown on site at Rockside Farm and malted at the distillery, as well as malt from the Port Ellenmaltings and releases separate bottlings depending on the source of the grain. It is one of six Scottish distilleries still working with traditional floor-maltings, and is unique in completing all parts of the whisky making process – growing barley, malting, distilling, maturing and bottling – on Islay.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Kilchoman

20 years of work resulted in quite a lot of interest in the world of whisky and currently Kilchoman, alongside classics such as Lagavulin or Ardbeg, is actively operating on the whisky scene and conquering new markets year after year. The tour around Europe was not the only one that Kilchoman presented recently, the US tour with Kilchoman 57 strength and the tour around Asia. The brand is developing dynamically and probably fans of Islay whisky, like me, are waiting for the development of events and the first adult bottling which will soon appear on the market.