Kilchoman Distillery has delighted whisky enthusiasts by reintroducing a beloved expression in May 2024—the Sauternes Cask Matured. This limited edition whisky has been fully matured in ex-Sauternes wine casks and bottled at 50% ABV, offering a unique and rich flavor profile.
Before you embark on your journey with Sauternes Cask Matured, take a moment to explore our recent article about Kilchoman Releases Loch Gorm, the latest addition to their lineup.
Anthony Wills, Kilchoman’s Founder, carefully selected a combination of fresh and refill Sauternes barriques from two separate years, the youngest from 2018. This selection achieves a harmonious balance of buttery sweetness, barbecued pineapple, candied ginger, and floral peat smoke.
Tasting Notes:
- Nose: Creamy, buttery notes with ripe fruits, a hint of salty sea air, and subtle peat smoke.
- Palate: Butterscotch and floral notes combine with tropical and candied fruits, integrated with peat smoke flowing throughout.
- Finish: Sweetness continues onto the finish, balanced with clean lingering smoke and rich texture.
Maturing whisky in Sauternes casks is notably challenging, particularly for full-term maturation, making such expressions rare. Kilchoman initial Sauternes Cask Matured release in 2016 spent five years in first-fill Sauternes casks. The second edition in 2018 featured a five-month Sauternes cask finish.
This 2024 edition employs a vatting of 22% fresh and 78% refill casks from two distillation years, a roughly 3:1 ratio of fresh to refill casks. This approach ensures the perfect balance between Sauternes influence and Kilchoman’s distinctive character. Most of the refill casks were previously used for the 2018 Sauternes finish release, enhancing the whisky’s complexity without compromising its structure or balance.
Anthony Wills expressed his enthusiasm: “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.”
Sauternes Cask Matured 2024 (50% ABV) will be available from Kilchoman stockists worldwide from this week.
