Kilchoman – the story of a distillery that conquered the whisky world

On the island of Islay, where the wind blends with the aroma of peat smoke, Anthony Wills decided in 2005 to fulfill the dream of many whisky enthusiasts – to establish a distillery from scratch. It wasn’t easy. In a world dominated by large corporations, every new player had to face enormous costs, logistics, and industry skepticism. Yet Kilchoman survived and… shone.

From field to bottle – craftsmanship in its purest form

Anthony and his team focused on authenticity. The barley that goes into the distillery comes from Kilchoman’s own fields – meaning every sip of whisky tells the story of the land where it was grown. Production follows traditional methods, and barrel aging reflects the patience and precision of the craftsmen. This approach has earned Kilchoman the reputation of being one of the most “honest” distilleries on Islay.

A portfolio built with passion

Kilchoman’s first releases were modest but stood out for their character. Over time, the portfolio grew: Machir Bay, exceptional single casks, experimental series aged in unusual casks – each new bottle was a small event in the whisky world. Collectors and connoisseurs eagerly awaited each release, and the distillery’s reputation flourished.

Kilchoman Tour – whisky experienced with all the senses

For visitors to Islay, Kilchoman has become a must-see destination. The Kilchoman Tour is not just a distillery visit but a full sensory experience: from the barley fields, through distillation, to the aroma of aging whisky casks. On-site tastings allow visitors to feel the true soul of the brand – peat, sea breeze, and the passion that drives the entire process.

Kilchoman is an example that a small, family-run distillery can capture the hearts of whisky lovers worldwide. Success did not happen overnight – it is the result of consistently building the brand, believing in quality and authenticity. Today, Kilchoman symbolizes that passion and craftsmanship still have a place in the world of premium spirits.

Kilchoman Portfolio

Kilchoman Portfolio – from classics to limited editions

Machir Bay

The flagship single malt of the distillery, combining Islay’s peaty character with notes of citrus and vanilla. A mix of bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks gives it complexity and balance. First released in 2012, it won a gold medal at IWSC 2012.

Sanaig

Launched in 2014, Sanaig has a richer flavor profile achieved by aging in bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks. It features a full-bodied taste with notes of caramel and a gentle peaty touch.

Loch Gorm

The Loch Gorm series is unique due to full maturation in Oloroso sherry casks. The 2025 release is the first edition aged over 10 years in these casks, offering depth and intensity typical of this line.

100% Islay

A unique line of whisky where all stages – from barley cultivation to bottling – take place on Islay.

Batch Strength

Introduced in 2024 as a permanent part of the distillery’s range, this whisky is made from heavily peated spirit (50 ppm) and matured in three types of casks: bourbon (approx. 70%), Oloroso sherry (approx. 10%), and red wine (approx. 20%). After maturation, a small amount of water is added to reach a consistent 57% ABV. Batch Strength offers a complex flavor profile with notes of peat, tropical fruit, and spices.

Machir Bay Cask Strength

First released in 2022 and arriving in the US in 2023, this whisky comes from the same cask mix as the regular Machir Bay but is bottled at cask strength, giving it a higher alcohol level – 58.3% ABV. It features intense tropical fruit notes and concentrated citrus sweetness on the palate.

Sanaig Cask Strength

Following the success of Machir Bay Cask Strength, Kilchoman launched a limited edition of Sanaig Cask Strength in 2024. Bottled at natural strength (57.8% ABV), it combines Oloroso sherry and bourbon casks, offering a powerful mix of peat smoke, spiced sweetness, fruit, and chocolate.

Limited editions and experimental maturations

Kilchoman regularly releases limited editions to explore new flavor profiles, such as:

• Port Cask Matured 2024 : full maturation in ruby port casks, with notes of red fruits and spices
• Sauternes Cask Matured 2024 : aged in Sauternes sweet wine casks, with honey and tropical fruit notes.
• Madeira Cask Matured 2025 : experimental edition aged in Madeira wine casks, introducing new flavor accents.

Kilchoman – 20 years of craftsmanship, passion, and Islay whisky

In 2025, Kilchoman celebrates its 20th anniversary. Founded by Anthony Wills in 2005, it has become a symbol of independence and quality in the whisky world. To mark the occasion, the distillery released the 20th Anniversary Cask Series.

The series consists of four limited editions reflecting the distillery’s character:

• 14-year-old bourbon cask whisky – delicate, with peat and citrus notes.
• 14-year-old sherry cask whisky – rich, with dried fruit and spice accents.
• 15-year-old sherry cask whisky – full-bodied, with a deep flavor profile.
• 18-year-old bourbon cask whisky – the oldest in the distillery’s history, with subtle smoky character and vanilla elegance.

Each edition is a blend of five carefully selected casks showcasing Kilchoman’s diverse style. All bottles are non-chill filtered and retain their natural color.

Kilchoman – the “farm-to-bottle” philosophy

Kilchoman stands out among Islay distilleries for its “farm-to-bottle” approach. Since acquiring Rockside Farm in 2015, the distillery has controlled every production stage – from barley cultivation, malting, distillation, maturation, to bottling. This ensures full authenticity and a unique whisky character.

Barley cultivation Kilchoman owns 155 hectares at Rockside Farm, growing mainly Sassy and Planet barley. Each year, 300–350 tons of barley are processed. Planting begins in spring after wild geese migration, with harvest in early September. The barley is then used in whisky production, allowing full control over raw material quality.

Malting Kilchoman is one of the few Scottish distilleries that malts its own barley. The malting process consists of steeping, germination, and drying. After harvest, the barley undergoes these steps on traditional malting floors, giving the whisky its distinctive flavor. The barley is also peat-smoked from local peat bogs, imparting the characteristic smoky aroma.

Fermentation After malting, the mash goes to fermentation vats, where water from the local Allt Gleann Osamail source is added. Fermentation lasts about 96 hours, longer than in many distilleries, allowing fruit and floral notes to develop in the final spirit.

Distillation Distillation is carried out in two wash stills and two spirit stills. Kilchoman follows traditional methods with full respect for craftsmanship, ensuring high-quality spirit.

Maturation Kilchoman whisky matures in bourbon, Oloroso sherry, and red wine casks. The distillery has its own warehouses on the farm, allowing full control over aging. Islay’s climate gives the whisky a unique character, with maritime and peaty notes.