Machir Bay is primarily aged in old bourbon casks, and impresses with the flavor and aroma of coastal peat smoke with notes of tropical fruit, fresh vanilla, butterscotch, herbs, stone fruit and citrus sweetness. Soft and pleasant, but at the same time with a rich smoke in the center that is classic Islay in the best possible way.
Kilchoman is Scotland’s only farm distillery and is located at Rockside Farm on north-west Islay. Here the distillery grows its own grain at Machir Bay, and is also the only distillery on the island that both grows and malts grain exclusively from Islay for the distillery’s whiskies. Kilchoman was founded in 2005 and in 2009 sold its first whisky. For the distillery’s two most popular whiskies, Machir Bay and Sanaig, a combination of bourbon and sherry casks is used. Where most of the casks for Machir Bay are bourbon casks, most of the casks for Sanaig are sherry casks. Both whiskeys are 46% and have neither added caramel nor are chill-filtered. Although Kilchoman’s first whiskey was only launched less than 10 years ago, the distillery has already won more accolades than much older and much larger counterparts. Kilchoman’s appointments include: 2011: Kilchoman wins Malt Advocates Artisan Whiskey of the Year (only three years after the first whiskey was produced.) 2013: Anthony Willis is named Master Distiller of the Year at the International Whiskey Competition. 2015: Machir Bay wins gold at IWSC. 2016: IWSC names Sanaig the best single malt in Scotland without an age statement. Machir Bay is also voted best Islay whiskey in the same year. 2017: Machir Bay is named Whiskey of the Year by the Whiskey Exchange and a single barrel rum cask wins Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible 2017 for best Single Cask of the Year. Machir Bay, 46%, 70 cls.: Machir Bay is primarily aged in old bourbon barrels, and impresses with the taste and aroma of coastal peat smoke with notes of tropical fruits, fresh vanilla, butterscotch, herbs, stone fruits and citrus sweetness. Sanaig 46%, 70 cls.: Sanaig is primarily aged in old sherry casks from Miguel Martin of Xerez, who also supplies Glenfarclas. The whiskey is rich in layers of caramel, honey and dried fruit, sweet Islay peat smoke and citrus sweetness.
Kilchoman is Scotland’s only farm distillery and is located at Rockside Farm on north-west Islay. Here the distillery grows its own grain at Machir Bay, and is also the only distillery on the island that both grows and malts grain exclusively from Islay for the distillery’s whiskies. Kilchoman was founded in 2005 and in 2009 sold its first whisky.
Exclusive and popular whiskies
For the distillery’s two most popular whiskies, Machir Bay and Sanaig, a combination of bourbon and sherry casks is used. Where most of the casks for Machir Bay are bourbon casks, most of the casks for Sanaig are sherry casks. Both whiskeys are 46% and have neither added caramel nor are chill-filtered.
