Kilchoman Genesis Stage 5: Two Yeasts, Two Casks, for Germany Only

Days 29 to 33

With Genesis, Kilchoman tells the 1,130 day journey from barley to bottle in a series of limited bottlings. After Harvest, Malting, Peating and Mashing comes Kilchoman Genesis Fermenting Stage 5. It stands for days 29 to 33, when yeast turns the sweet wort into alcohol.

The key facts: 49.8% ABV at natural cask strength, 70cl, non chill filtered, no added colour, no age statement and, according to the label, 2,200 bottles. The release is for the German market only, with a recommended retail price of around €75.

Two yeasts, two casks

60% of the whisky matured in ex bourbon casks and comes from a fermentation with dried yeast, which is rare for Kilchoman. The other 40% matured in tawny port casks and comes from a batch made with fresh pressed yeast. The German importer describes this as a yeast combination tried for the first time.

On barley, Genesis stays true to form, which makes it one of the very few Kilchoman releases to combine two kinds: 20 ppm Rockside barley from the distillery's own farm and 50 ppm barley peated by Port Ellen Maltings.

Why yeast is more than a tool

Kilchoman ferments for 90 hours, by its own account longer than any other distillery on Islay, where the average is 50 to 60 hours. During that time complex esters and lactic acid develop, which the distillery says bring creamy, buttery and especially fruity notes.

Yeast comes as a liquid, pressed or dried. According to Kilchoman, liquid yeast is the most common, while dried yeast keeps for years and is often held in reserve by distilleries just in case. Seeing it shape a whole part of this whisky is what makes the bottling so appealing to us.

What the glass can and cannot tell you

This whisky is not a clean yeast comparison, however, because yeast and cask are coupled: the dried yeast is only in the bourbon cask part and the pressed yeast only in the port cask part. In our view, the glass can therefore hardly show what comes from the yeast and what comes from the cask, especially as tawny port brings plenty of fruit and sweetness of its own.

The importer is more confident: it describes an elegant, fruity composition that makes the influence of the yeast types on the smoky character perceptible, with an intense fruit sweetness from the tawny port. No tasting notes for nose, palate or finish have been published.

The smallest run in the series

Two numbers stand out for collectors. At 2,200 bottles, Stage 5 is the smallest Genesis run so far: the first four stages came to 3,600, 4,200, 3,600 and 3,000 bottles. At 49.8% ABV it is also the strongest, after 48.6%, 49.2%, 49.4% and 49.1%.

The label deserves a look too. It shows the journey in eight symbols, and after fermentation come a still, a cask and a bottle. In our view that points to the series continuing, though we have found no announcement. Kilchoman Genesis Fermenting Stage 5, like the four earlier stages, has its own page on Spiritory, where you can place a bid.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kilchoman Genesis Fermenting Stage 5?

The fifth bottling in the Genesis series, which tells the story of whisky making at Kilchoman step by step. It is devoted to fermentation on days 29 to 33 and is bottled at 49.8% ABV.

Which casks and yeasts were used?

60% matured in ex bourbon casks and comes from a fermentation with dried yeast, and 40% matured in tawny port casks and comes from a batch made with pressed yeast.

How many bottles are there and what does it cost?

According to the label there are 2,200 bottles, for the German market only. The recommended retail price is around €75.

What does it taste like?

There are no official notes for nose, palate or finish. The importer describes it as elegant and fruity, with an intense fruit sweetness from the tawny port and Kilchoman's smoky character.