Macho-peat tasting: Kilchoman, Caol Ila and Lagavulin

In my quest to empty the samples queue, I have chose today some macho peated whiskies and an Ardmore.
Like a champion!

Some Kilchoman, some Lagavulin, one Caol Ila and one Ardmore. What else can a man ask to be happy?! ( Yes, yes, but it isn’t sold in a bottle )

I am really excited with the Ardmore because it is my first from this distillery, and I am a big fan of Kilchoman whiskies… so wild and salvage!.

I wanted to taste the Lagavulin 21yo against some real whiskies to see how it measure against them. On its own I was quite happy with it, although not happy enough to pay £350 for it.

Kilchoman Machir Bay

“A sure hit, as always. I really love this malt whisky”

90

70cl / 46% / Distillery Bottling - The first ongoing bottling from Kilchoman, Machir Bay is made up of first fill bourbon matured whisky finished in oloroso sherry wood before bottling.
TODO: Check if strength is 40% or 46%

This dram has a fino-like color.

Nose (90): more than average. peat, honey, barley, vanilla, cooked fruits. 100% Kilchoman!

Palate (90): powerful, oily. peat, earth, citrus, vanilla, spices.

Finish (90): longer than average. peat, honey.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Kilchoman Machir Bay with 90 points over 100.

Caol Ila 17 Sherrywood

“Peat and sherry you say? I don't like that mix... but let's give it a try. Oh my! This is super stuff! Nutty marvel this one”

90

This dram has a fino-like color.

Nose (89): more than average. peat, honey, nuts, wood, leather.

Palate (91): powerful. peat, honey, earth, citrus, nuts, wood.

Finish (90): longer than average. peat, honey, nuts, raisins.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1990 Sherrywood - Mackillops with 90 points over 100.

Lg2 Elements of Islay

“Typical Lagavulin finish with a Bunnahabhain nose and a massive taste”

88

50cl / 58% / Speciality Drinks Ltd - The second Lg for Elements of Islay is noticeably sweeter than the first, but retains the raw, south-coast ruggedness of its predecessor. Oaty with hints of honeycomb and white chocolate on the nose. Bandages and bonfires on the palate, then a briney, medicinal finish.

This dram has a fino-like color.

Nose (87): more than average. honey, vanilla, citrus, wood, meat. Smells more like a Bunnahabhain whisky than like a Lagavulin

Palate (88): powerful, oily. peat, wood, spices, salt, pepper, honey. Peat massive

Finish (89): longer than average. peat, salt, earth.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Lg2 - Elements of Islay (Speciality Drinks) with 88 points over 100.

Kilchoman Feis Ile 2012

“Haha! Lovely whisky. I never had a whisky with so many figs inside”

90

This dram has a gold-like color.

Nose (89): more than average. peat, honey, fruits, figs.

Palate (91): powerful, oily. peat, honey, figs, ham, spices.

Finish (90): longer than average. peat, honey, figs.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Kilchoman Feis Ile 2012 - Limited Cask Release with 90 points over 100.

Ardmore 21 years 1990

“Oh my! If this whisky can stand between peat monsters just imagine how good it is”

92

This dram has a amber-like color.

Nose (91): more than average. peat, honey, candies, spices, vanilla. Very nice! From a perfect cask.

Palate (92): powerful, oily. honey, peat, candies, spices, floral, vanilla, liquorice. Delicious

Finish (92): longer than average. honey, peat, spices.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Ardmore 21 Year Old 1990 - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory) with 92 points over 100.

Lagavulin 21 years old

“Lagavulin in spices! I like”

91

This dram has a tawny-like color.

Nose (91): more than average. peat, citrus, spices, cinnamon, raisins.

Palate (91): powerful, oily. peat, honey, citrus, salt, fruits, spices, cinnamon.

Finish (91): longer than average. peat, honey, spices.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Lagavulin 21 Year Old 1991 - Limited Edition 2012 with 91 points over 100.

Miguel says…

You know peat is my weak spot. All of them fantastic stuff but I have found a new jewel on this Ardmore! And the Kilchoman met the expectations.

The Lagavulin 21yo is definitively a good one but I really don’t think it is so good now. For sure I won’t pay the amount they were asking for it. If you are investing in whisky ( whick I really think it is a very bad idea ) consider for a minute the posibility that you may end drinking your inversion. Make sure you pay what it really is worth.

Share your thoughts! comments written.