Kilchoman distillery
The Kilchoman Distillery (pronounced Kil-ho-man) is a distillery that produces single malt Scotch whisky on Islay, an island of the Inner Hebrides. Kilchoman Distillery is in the northwest of the island, close to one of Islay's most spectacular beaches at Machir Bay. Kilchoman was founded by Anthony Wills and remains an independent, family run distillery. It is the smallest on the island but since obtaining Rockside Farm in 2015, is in the process of expanding.[1][2][3]
Kilchoman Distillery in summer | |
Region: Islay | |
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Location | Islay |
Owner | Anthony Wills |
Founded | 2005 |
Status | Operational |
No. of stills | 2 wash 2 spirit |
Capacity | 221,000 L (49,000 imp gal) |
Kilchoman | |
Age(s) | 3 Years 5 Years 8 Years 10 Years 11 Years |
History
The distillery began production in December 2005, and was the first to be built on Islay in 124 years. The distillery uses barley grown on site at Rockside Farm and malted at the distillery, as well as malt from the Port Ellen maltings and releases separate bottlings depending on the source of the grain.[2] It is one of six Scottish distilleries still working with traditional floor-maltings, and is unique in completing all parts of the whisky making process – growing barley, malting, distilling, maturing and bottling – on Islay.
The distillery first filled casks on 14 December 2005 and the distillery began bottling 3-year-old single malt in September 2009.[2] The first Kilchoman, the "Inaugural release" was released in 2009 and the first 100% Islay whisky released in 2011.
The whisky produced by the Port Ellen maltings are peated to the same levels as Ardbeg 50 ppm, while the malt peated on their own floor maltings will be approximately 20 ppm.[4]
Bottlings
Kilchoman releases several bottlings. The most important ones include:
- Machir Bay 46°ABV
- Loch Gorm 46°ABV
- Sanaig 46°ABV, originally released for the French market – launched worldwide in 2016
- 100% Islay 50°ABV, this is the grain to glass offering from Kilchoman
References
- Morrice, Philip. The Schweppes Guide To Scotch. Sherborne, Dorset, England: Alphabooks. pp. 340–342. ISBN 0-906670-29-2.
- "Kilchoman Distillery". Retrieved 23 September 2009.
- Abhainn Dearg Distillery http://www.abhainndearg.co.uk/
- http://www.whisky-news.com/En/distilleries/Kilchoman.html