Kilchoman NAS (61.9%, OB for Kensington Calgary, Bourbon, C#119/07, 264 Bts., D’30/5/07, B’ 21/7/10)

A single cask bottling for Kensington Wine Mart Calgary and bottled at a slightly shocking 61.9% but without chill filtration or the addition of color.

The nose (undiluted) has some shades of the newest Ardbeg (Renaissance) and is quite strong along with some fragrance in the form of heather and grapefruit rind. It’s extraordinary aggressive on the nose. Things change significantly with the addition of water; deep, deep coal smoke and something burnt to a crisp lurking in the back ground. The taste undiluted is an open blast furnace of peat smoke and the fragrant notes with the malt in the back ground. After a moment or two the coal smoke takes over. A sample for peat heads for sure. With water the sweetness is a welcome embrace after being beat about the taste buds by the freaking undiluted temp tom macou of Islay. Ah, some REALLY good honeyed notes and really good chocolate malt and peat smoke. Perfection in the glass and hints of oiliness. Earthy. Like damp dunnage floors. Freshly cracked black pepper. The finish is strong, very vibrant, clean and head filling. The grapefruit rinds and malt are all tumbled together. It’s a really big finish and very, very long. It’ll be time for bed before this is over. Thank God for the addition of water other wise the peat would have sucked every ounce of moisture from the poor examiners fragile earthly vessel.

Big. Aggressive. Angry. Very Good.

$115

Score 87 points

The bottle looks much like this one....the box too.