Kilchoman 2006 Vintage Release Islay whisky 46%

Five years is not much for a whisky, but for Kilchoman in 2011 it was a milestone. 2006 Vintage Release was one of the very first times the distillery dared to call its spirit a proper 5 year old whisky.

Expert's description

Kilchoman 2006 Vintage Release is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 5 years old and bottled at 46 %.

The whisky is built from 80% first fill and 20% refill bourbon casks, distilled in 2006, only a year after Kilchoman was founded. That makes 2006 Vintage one of the earliest examples of the distillery daring to commit to a fixed age statement — a step that required patience from a distillery otherwise living off young, energetic releases.

With its high proportion of first fill casks, the whisky carries a noticeably sweeter, more wood-driven character than many of the early seasonal releases, while Kilchoman's characteristic citrus-fresh peat smoke remains clearly present.

Tasting notes

Nose

Vanilla and sweet caramel from the first fill casks meet a fresh, almost sharp peat smoke and a hint of green apple.

Palate

Round and sweet, with honey and mature wood that slowly gives way to a growing, spiced smoke.

Finish

Medium length, dry and smoky, with a final, gentle sweetness from the bourbon casks.

Specifications

Name: Kilchoman 2006 Vintage Release Islay Single Malt Whisky
Distillery: Kilchoman
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 5 years
ABV: 46 %
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: 80% First Fill and 20% Refill Bourbon Casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distillation method: Double distilled
Edition: 2006 Vintage Release

Flavour profile

Peated · Vanilla · Sweet · Young · Citrus-fresh

Investment potential

Medium to high. This is one of the very first 5 year old bottlings from Kilchoman and belongs to a now-discontinued early release series, making it a rare piece of the distillery's history.

Did you know?

When Kilchoman was founded in 2005, there was no guarantee the distillery would ever get to sell a whisky with a fixed age statement. 2006 Vintage Release was one of the early signs that the small farm distillery was here to stay.

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Frequently asked questions about Kilchoman 2006 Vintage Release Islay Single Malt Whisky

Why is 2006 Vintage Release historically interesting?

It is one of the very first releases where Kilchoman dared to commit to a fixed 5 year age statement, just six years after the distillery was founded.

What makes the 80/20 first fill/refill cask mix special?

The high proportion of first fill casks gives a noticeably sweeter, more wood-driven character than many of Kilchoman's other early releases, which mostly used refill casks.

Is this whisky a good investment?

It belongs to an early and now-discontinued part of Kilchoman's history, and this type of bottle historically becomes rarer to find as the years pass.

How does a 5 year old Kilchoman compare to today's Machir Bay?

It is sweeter and more wood-driven due to the first fill casks, but shares the same fresh, citrus-tinged peat smoke that still defines the distillery today.

Should this whisky be served neat?

Yes, try it neat first to get the full vanilla and wood character, then add a few drops of water if you want to open up the smoke.

When was Kilchoman founded?

The distillery was founded in 2005 by Anthony Wills as Scotland's only true farm distillery, just a year before the spirit for this whisky was distilled.