This Kilchoman 2013 Mezcal Finish is a single cask Islay single malt, distilled in 2013, matured in an ex-bourbon barrel and then finished in a cask that previously held mezcal. It is bottled at cask strength, 55.1% ABV.
Kilchoman is Islay's farm distillery, founded in 2005 on Rockside Farm on the island's west coast, where it grows, floor-malts and peats some of its own barley. Its single cask releases are bottled in small numbers, and the mezcal finish pairs Kilchoman's peat smoke with the smoky, vegetal character of Mexico's agave spirit, a rare combination in Scotch.
Kilchoman's 2013 mezcal-finish casks show citrus, sweet smoke and agave on the nose, with citrus sweets, honey and a creamy, salty character on the palate, and a smoky finish with liquorice and a long aftertaste.
Presented in Kilchoman's red single cask gift box, it is a superb gift for adventurous whisky lovers.
Taste it neat, then add a few drops of water to open the fruit.
Scotch whisky must be distilled and matured in Scotland for at least three years in oak casks, and any age statement on the label refers to the youngest whisky in the bottle.
Mezcal is made by roasting agave hearts in earthen pits, which gives it a smoky character of its own, so a mezcal cask adds a second, sweeter and more vegetal kind of smoke alongside Islay's peat. Single casks like this one are bottled without blending with other casks, so each has its own personality.
Tasting Notes
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Nose: Citrus, sweet smoke and agave.
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Palate: Citrus sweets, honey, cream and salt.
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Finish: Smoky, with liquorice and a long aftertaste.
Specifications
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Producer: Kilchoman
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Style: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, single cask
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Expression / Batch: 2013 vintage, Mezcal Finish
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Proof / ABV: 110.2 proof (55.1% ABV), cask strength
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Cask / Finish: Ex-bourbon barrel, finished in an ex-mezcal cask
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Region: Islay, Scotland
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Size: 750ml
How to Enjoy It
Serve it neat with water on the side. It pairs with ceviche, smoked fish or citrus desserts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How was it finished?
In a cask that previously held mezcal, after maturing in ex-bourbon.
Is it peated?
Yes, Kilchoman is a peated Islay single malt.
What proof is it?
This cask is bottled at 55.1% ABV.
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