Scotch Whisky Review #438: Kilchoman Comraich Batch No. 3

Distillery: Kilchoman.

Region: Islay.

Age: 9 Year. Distilled on October 16th 2008 & May 28th 2010, bottled on October 10th 2019..

ABV: 55.7%.

Cask Numbers: 524/2008, 528/2008, and 275/2010.

Cask Types: 1st Fill-Ex-Bourbon Barrels (524 & 528/2008), Oloroso Sherry Butt (275/2010)

Color: 1.1, Burnished. Natural Color and Non Chill Filtered.

This dram is the twelfth of 2022’s Christmas Countdown! Whiskies from previous years can be found here.

Every year, I look at the advent calendar offerings that pop up across the pond and think that it would be super cool to do something like that (it is actually the inspiration for my review spree in December). Turns out, I wasn’t the only one who wanted to do one so between /u/federalagents, /u/DangerousDoorknob, and I we put our own together! This is the eleventh dram of the calendar. It was reviewed partially blind as in I know the whiskies in the calendar but not the order.

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Nose: Definitely peated with a nice, medium level of peat. I’m getting smoked mangoes, vanilla, and a bit of charred caramel. Perhaps a bit of crème brulée? There’s also a nice, tart, citrus-y note that reminds me of the lime margarita mixes the wife enjoys.

Palate: There’s definitely a lot of peat and smoke here, it is like sitting in front of a campfire that is burning a little too hot. It’s a bit spicy, not peppery or holiday spice mix but more like actual hot sauce, with a bit of lime and a bit of tang. I’m reminded of Tajin and Chamoy sauce.

Finish: Medium in length. There’s a nice bit of peat smoke again. A spicy, tamarind candy is what finishes things off.

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Guess: Scotland. Malt. Islay. 5-9 Year. Ex-Bourbon. 55-60%. Kilchoman Comraich.

Reveal: Kilchoman Comraich Batch No. 3.

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Conclusion: I’m not sure I’ve ever had a whisky I’d describe as being like a hot sauce. I’ve had plenty of whiskies with spices in them, as in peppers and other things the Dutch East India Company would’ve moved hundreds of years ago, but nothing quite so blatantly hot sauce like. The nose teases off fruity, smokey, and dessert notes but it really is a smokescreen for what you’re about to get hit with. I’m reminded so much of Tajin and Chamoy sauce along with a spicy tamarind candies that /u/cagliostro9 once shared with me. Nice and tasty, but if you don’t like spicy treats I’d avoid it.

Final Score: 81.

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Scotch Whisky Review #438, Islay Review #73, Whisky Network Review #593

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Scoring Legend:

• 96-100: The perfect dram, nectar of the gods.
• 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky and I will always try to keep a bottle of this in my collection if feasible.
• 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product and I’m likely wanting a bottle or two.
• 80-84: Quite good, pleasant overall though there is usually a few things that could be improved still.
• 75-79: Good, enjoyable to drink but ultimately flawed.
• 70-74: Alright, solid and wouldn’t go out of my way to get it.
• 60-69: Meh, still drinkable.
• Below 59: If you have a bottle of this, start cooking with it instead.