Kilchoman 11 Year Old Family Collection Whisky

The Kilchoman 11 Year Old Family Collection Whisky is the youngest expression in the inaugural Family Collection, yet it is arguably the boldest. Matured exclusively in ex-Oloroso sherry butts and bottled at a natural cask strength of 54.7% ABV, it combines Kilchoman’s heavily peated spirit with rich sherry influence in a way that feels both classic and distinctive. Unlike the older bourbon-matured releases in the collection, this expression embraces a darker, more robust profile while retaining the distillery’s unmistakable coastal identity. Nose: The aroma opens with dense peat smoke, smouldering oak and salted sea air before revealing layers of dried figs, raisins, black cherries and orange marmalade. Dark chocolate, roasted coffee beans and toasted walnuts develop with time, while cinnamon, clove and cracked black pepper provide additional complexity. Despite its richness, the sherry never entirely overshadows the maritime freshness that defines Kilchoman. Palate: Full-bodied and oily, the whisky delivers an immediate combination of earthy peat, charred oak and sweet Oloroso richness. Flavours of dates, blackcurrants and stewed plums are joined by treacle, dark chocolate and espresso, balanced by savoury notes of smoked bacon, leather and toasted almonds. The high strength adds intensity rather than aggression, with a few drops of water revealing brighter citrus fruit and soft vanilla beneath the smoke. Finish: Long, warming and persistent, the finish evolves through lingering wood smoke, drying spices, cocoa powder and roasted coffee before fading into salted caramel, liquorice and gentle oak tannins. The smoke remains present throughout, leaving a distinctly coastal impression.