Like I wrote in the previous review from a couple of minutes ago (Jura Tastival 2014), it’s Feis Ile split day since Kilchoman distillery opened its doors a few years ago. Kilchoman is the youngest operating distillery on Islay (until gartbreck starts operating next year) and already have a track record of young yet good peated whisky. Last year they released a Feis Ile 2014 expression matured for over 5 years in two fresh bourbon barrels and finished in a Fino sherry butt for 3 months. I was wondering if 3 months are enough to impart enough effect on the whisky so let’s taste and check.

Kilchoman Feis Ile 2014 (58.7%, 525 bottles)

Nose: Starting with a very restrained nose with almost no peat and smoke. sour unripe berries and the chalky. milky vanilla dessert. With water: peatier at first and then it becomes sweeter while keeping the chalky/sour notes.

Palate:  Clean peat, then ashes, very Kilchoman, sour berries, sweet demerara sugar, oak and espresso. With water: sweeter and less peaty, keeping the same notes palette.

Finish: Long, peat, ashes, soursweet berries and traces of oak and espresso grounds.

Thoughts: Very Kilchoman-y yet has a nice twist from only 3 months in fino casks. I hope they have some fully matured fino casks whisky in their wings. Slainte!