Kilchoman has announced the release of two new expressions in its Cask Exploration series, including a first for the Islay distiller.
The Kilchoman Cognac Cask Matured – a first for the distillery – and the Fino Cask Matured, which are available from July, explore the effects of the two cask types on the distillery's spirit profile.
For the Cognac Cask Matured release, the distillery sourced 32 casks from French producer Tonellerie Bosseut. Kilchoman spirit was filled into these casks and left to mature for six years.
Anthony Wills, Kilchoman co-founder, said: "The limited-edition cask explorations give us the opportunity to experiment with our spirit here at Kilchoman. The Cognac casks selected for this 2023 release allow our fruit-driven, citrus spirit style to balance with that of the Cognac oak. There is a delicate balance to be found when working withCognac casks; keeping the age of this release at a minimum of six years old ensures the flavours from the spirit and the cask are easily detected, neither dominates."
The 2023 Fino Matured follows the success of Kilchoman's 2020 Fino Matured expression, the distillery's first global release in this style of sherry cask. The spirit for the 2023 limited edition was distilled in 2018 and matured in 20 sherry butts sourced from Spanish bodega Jose y Miguel Martín.
Wills said: "The Fino Sherry maturation works incredibly well with our classic Kilchoman character. The 2023 release elevates the fragrant green apple, stewed fruits, and sweet citrus while allowing for the unmistakeable Kilchoman peat smoke to linger on the palate. Fino is another example of sherry casks working together, not against, our Kilchoman spirit."
The Kilchoman Cognac Cask Matured (50% ABV) and Fino Matured (50% ABV) are both. bottled without chill filtration or added colour. Both are available via Master of Malt priced at £79.95 (RRP £86.95).
