Kilchoman Comraich Batch 3
Whisky: Kilchoman Comraich Batch 3
Country/Region: Scotland/Islay
ABV: 55.7%
Cask: Oloroso Sherry, Bourbon
Age: 9 Years (Distilled 2008/2010, Bottled 10 Sept. 2019)
Nose: Bonfire ash, or burning tropical vegetation, grilled pineapple, hints of menthol and vanilla, mellow maritime salt and camphor.
Palate: Medium-bodied and bright with tropical fruit, maritime salt, and an herbal undercurrent, grilled pineapple, blackberries, guava smoked fish, salted mango, distant burning vegetation, maritime and coastal, hints of coconut, vanilla, camphor, and menthol which linger at the end.
Finish: Medium-length with salt, vanilla, and herbal spice.
Score: 6
Mental Image: Copra Grove Burn Day
Narrative & Notes: I poured this as dram #11 on a “Holiday Mystery Whisky Advent Calendar” and guessed it was a teenage Laphroaig in an ex-bourbon cask. I had no idea with this guess, but the fruits and medicinal herbs reminded me vaguely of a tamer, more nuanced Laphroaig. The smoke hinted at perhaps Kilchoman, but I was less sure I had ever encountered the same fruit notes on a Kilchoman.
It turns out I should have gone with my second guess! I do not get any points for that (I am honestly not sure if we are keeping score), but I can take unofficial pride that I was not far off!
According to Kilchoman, this batch contains a vatting of three 100% Islay single farm casks: two bourbon casks from 2008 and an oloroso sherry butt from 2010. Comraich bottles are exclusive to “Sanctuaries” or Comraich bars across the globe. However, during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, when bars were largely shuttered, Kilchoman released batch 3 to some retailers.
I thought this was endowed with some enjoyably tropical vibes, from cold fruits on the beach to the sweet smell of burning vegetation. It was not quite a bonfire, more like the smell of a distant grass or tropical forest fire drifting sweetly on the wind. A lovely salty maritime note ran throughout the nose and flavor profile, helping to tie together the various fruit, smoke, and herbal layers.
Overall, intriguing, though not something I would be grabbing for very often, as the herbal finish felt askew from the dominant flavor notes.
Image Credit: Norfolk Wine & Spirits
