Kilchoman 2023 PX Sherry Cask Matured Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 50%

Pedro Ximénez is the sweetest and darkest of all sherry styles — a wine so thick with sun-dried grapes it's almost spoonable. Kilchoman let it work all the way through their spirit, resulting in the distillery's first ever release fully matured in PX casks.

Expert's description

Kilchoman 2023 PX Sherry Cask Matured is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, fully matured in ex-PX Sherry casks for a minimum of five years and bottled at 50 %.

Pedro Ximénez, or simply PX, is made from sun-dried grapes pressed into a thick, dark and intensely sweet wine. The casks that held it give the whisky a markedly different character to drier sherry styles like Fino or Amontillado — here it's all about deep sweetness, dried fruit and an almost syrupy texture.

Because the spirit spent its entire maturation in the PX casks rather than just a short finish, the sweetness is woven deep into the whisky from the start. That makes it one of the darkest and most dessert-like Kilchoman releases to date, with Islay's peat smoke having to work its way through layer upon layer of raisin and caramel.

Tasting notes

Nose

Raisins, prune blossom and dark molasses pour out, backed by toasted walnuts and a deep, sweet peat smoke.

Palate

Intense sweetness from the start — syrup, dates and dark chocolate — before the smoke slowly takes over, bringing balance with a dry, ashy edge.

Finish

Long, sweet and smoky at once, with a final trace of liquorice and toasted oak.

Specifications

Name: Kilchoman 2023 PX Sherry Cask Matured Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Distillery: Kilchoman
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: Min. 5 years
ABV: 50 %
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Ex-PX Sherry Casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distillation method: Double distilled
Bottled: 2023
Edition: Limited Edition
EAN no.: 5060210707019

Flavour profile

Peated · PX-matured · Sweet · Fruity · Full-bodied

Did you know?

PX grapes are sun-dried for up to two weeks before pressing — a process that concentrates the sugar so much the wine can contain over 400 grams of sugar per litre, far more than even the sweetest dessert wines.

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Frequently asked questions about Kilchoman 2023 PX Sherry Cask Matured Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

How sweet is Kilchoman 2023 PX Sherry Cask Matured?

It's one of Kilchoman's sweetest releases, with a clear raisin and syrup character, but the peat smoke keeps it from ever becoming cloying.

What's the difference between this and other sherry-matured Kilchoman releases?

Unlike releases with just a short sherry finish, the spirit here spent its entire maturation in PX casks, giving a markedly deeper and sweeter profile.

Is this whisky good for dessert?

Yes, its sweet, almost syrupy character makes it a natural choice after dinner, ideally alongside dark chocolate.

How many bottles exist of this release?

The bottle count isn't stated for this release, but it forms part of Kilchoman's ongoing limited edition series.

Should PX-matured whisky be served with ice?

No, ice will mute both the sweetness and the smoke. Best served at room temperature, perhaps with a single drop of water.

What is Pedro Ximénez sherry?

It's a very sweet, dark fortified wine from Jerez in Spain, made from sun-dried grapes that give an intense raisin and syrup character to the casks it has aged in.