Whiskey Flavor Atlas / Featured Spirit
Kilchoman Machir Bay
Kilchoman's peated Islay single malt Scotch whisky, matured in bourbon and sherry casks and bottled at 46% ABV.
- Producer
- Kilchoman
- Strength
- 92 proof
- Maturation
- Bourbon and sherry casks
Tasting Profile
Machir Bay brings lemon and vanilla into an Islay single malt Scotch whisky whose smoky side is only part of the story. The fresh aroma gives way to honeyed malt and butterscotch in the sip, where warming smoke changes the feel of that sweetness. With tropical fruit in the same mouthful, the peat has something vivid to play against rather than standing alone.
Sea salt gives the ending a coastal edge, while citrus brings some of the opening brightness back beside the smoke. The contrast between sweet malt and maritime peat makes the whisky more than a smoky impression: there is fruit to return to, sweetness within the sip, and a salty accent that changes how the ending feels.
- nose
- Lemon brightens the vanilla aroma, while orchard fruit and floral notes give the nose a fresh, inviting character.
- palate
- Honeyed malt and butterscotch bring sweetness around tropical and dried fruit. Warming smoke runs through the sip, setting that sweetness against peat.
- finish
- Pepper and sea salt give the ending a coastal edge, with citrus bringing brightness to the maritime peat.