Kilchoman Sauternes Cask Matured 2024 Edition

Cask type: 1st Fill & 2nd Fill Sauternes Casks

Vintage: 2017 / 2018

Bottled: 04/2024

Age: 5 yo

Strength: 50,0 % abv

Level of phenols in malted barley: 50 ppm

Number of bottles: 23.000

Bottle volume: 0,7 l / 0,75 l

Bottle code:
SAU 03/04/24 24/25

Barcode:
5 060210 707620

Distribution: worldwide

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In May 2024, Kilchoman released this third Sauternes wine cask bottling in its series of annual wine cask maturations. Since 2014, the Kilchoman distillery has been releasing one or two limited edition bottlings a year, which have been aged (or more rarely: finished) in different wine casks.

Kilchoman founder and master blender Anthony Wills selected both 1st fill and 2nd fill Sauternes wine casks from 2017 and 2018 for this edition (the exact ratio is stated as 22% fresh and 78% refill casks), which should result in a perfect balance of Sauternes wine cask influence and the typical Kilchoman distillery character.

Anthony Wills has often emphasised in the past that maturing whisky in Sauternes casks is a challenge, particularly full-term maturation, that´s why it is so rare. First-fill casks in particular very quickly give the whisky matured in them a dominant Sauternes character, whereas it takes a very long time for the whisky to achieve the right structure and balance. For precisely these reasons, he was not entirely satisfied with the first Sauternes Cask Matured Limited Edition released by Kilchoman in 2016, which was created from five-year-old first-fill casks. For the second Sauternes Cask Limited Edition, released in 2018, Anthony therefore opted for a Sauternes finish of five months rather than full maturation.

Most of the refill casks selected for the 2024 edition were previously used for the 2018 sauternes finish release. As it turned out, the use of Sauternes casks as finishing casks for several months is the ideal preparation for subsequent full maturation. During the shorter finishing period, which usually lasts several months, much of the dominant Sauternes influence is extracted, leaving casks that still give the whisky maturing in them plenty of Sauternes character without sacrificing structure and balance.

During the 2024 Kilchoman marketing tour through 20 European countries, visitors were able to taste the Sauternes cask edition (here even undiluted with 58% abv) in advance. The release was also included as a sample in the tasting pack for the online live tasting “Exploring New and Upcoming Releases” with Anthony & Peter Wills on 30 May 2024.

“After a six-year absence, the Sauternes Cask Matured Kilchoman is back! The previous edition was a Sauternes finish, now it’s time for a return to the full power that complete maturation in these wine casks brings. Waves of sweet fruits and butterscotch balanced with our Islay peat smoke, a delicious dram.”  Anthony Wills, Kilchoman Founder.

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Tasting Notes:

Nose: Creamy, buttery notes with ripe fruits, hint of salty sea air and subtle peat smoke.

Palate: Butterscotch and floral notes combine with tropical and candied fruits with integrated peat smoke flowing throughout.

Finish: Sweetness continues onto the finish, balanced with clean lingering smoke and rich texture.

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