Not long ago, Islay superstars Kilchoman shipped 12,000 new bottles of their Original Cask Strength malt. While I have yet to lay hands on said liquid, I am fortunate to call another cask strength release by Kilchoman my own, namely the Machir Bay – Tour Edition 2015. Produced exclusively for the popular farm distillery’s 10th anniversary tour through mainland Europe in late 2015, this is a real powerhouse of a whisky. Vibrant, vigorous and vehement – an outstanding Islay dram that any peat lover will enjoy tremendously. Yet, there is a hurdle. Due to its strict limitation, the Machir Bay – Tour Edition 2015 has become pretty rare in the 12 months that passed since it went on sale. If you cannot find it for a fair prize anymore, there are two alternatives: Either you go with the regular Machir Bay, which clocks in at 46 per cent. Or you reach out for one of those recently unleashed Original Cask Strength bottles.

by Tobi

Eye: Bleached hay.
Nose: Smoldering wood and thick smoke, mellowed by a variety of lighter fumes. If you smell it long enough, the almost 60 per cent abv of this cask strength bottling also come through.
Palate: Very massive. Vanilla crescents with lemon icing covered in a heavy cloud of peat smoke.
Finish: Prominent, potent and proud. This whisky is resolved to stay with you for a long while.

Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Region: Scotland (Islay)
Age: No Age Statement
Alc. volume: 58.9 per cent
Bottle size: 0.7 litres
Price range: ~90.00 Euro
Limitation: 1,500 bottles
More info: http://www.kilchomandistillery.com