The story of Kilchoman whisky distillery in five stages

Many people dream of starting their own whisky distillery, but the Wills family went ahead and did it, founding Kilchoman on Islay back in 2005. George Wills was our host for a tasting of the entire Kilchoman range. He told us the five key stages that sum up the distillery’s 12-year-history…

Kilchoman Distillery, located at Rockside Farm in north-west Islay

1. Ambition

George explained the reason Kilchoman exists is because the family wanted to ‘take whisky back to its traditional roots’, and that the distillery started like so many others on Islay: small farms, growing a little bit of barley. He said: ‘When we came to Islay, people thought we were mad – there’s a reason why no one had built a new distillery there for 120 years – but it’s working. And we were surprised by the warmth we’ve received from the industry, and especially from other Islay distilleries.’

2. The whisky

Kilchoman’s house style is different to most other Islay whiskies. It’s peated to approximately 15 parts per million (‘depending on who lights the fire’, said George), but the predominant character is clean, fresh, and citrus-led. He added: ‘People think of peat as bonfires, chewing on ash and so on, but we’re looking for lighter, sweeter flavours with more citrus – this is what drives Kilchoman.’

The Wills family (from left): Peter, George, Anthony, James

3. Setbacks

Like most new companies, Kilchoman had its fair share of teething troubles:

• an exploding boiler (‘we bought a second-hand one – who does that?’)
• burst pipes
• a sherry butt weighing half a ton that fell off a fork-lift truck, denting a warehouse wall.

One incident, however, had potentially catastrophic consequences. George’s dad Anthony had gone to Edinburgh to watch a rugby match, leaving his sons in charge. In his absence, rather than adding bags of coal to the fire one by one, the sons just threw a couple on before heading home. The next thing they knew, the fire brigade was on the phone: ‘The kiln roof was on fire and the kiln was destroyed,’ said George, ‘but there was a beautiful smell!’

4. THE Young pretender

Another hurdle Kilchoman had to overcome was the fact that it had no stocks of mature whisky to draw on, and everything it released had to be distilled from scratch. George explained: ‘At the start, it was a slog to get people to drink three-year-old Kilchoman. We were trying to put out NAS or very young whiskies when not many people were doing it, but now we’re looking around and people are releasing younger whiskies. Consumers are now far more open-minded as to what they’re tasting.’

5. Small steps

Kilchoman makes the same amount of spirit in one year as its Islay counterpart Caol Ila does in one week: approximately 200,000 litres of alcohol, which works out at 20 bourbon barrels’ worth a week (‘22 in a good week’). And George’s favourite expression? 100% Islay: ‘It’s the closest one to my heart. It’s everything that’s great about Kilchoman – the freshness, the saltiness, it’s like being by the seaside.’

WE TASTED

Kilchoman 100% Islay – beautifully clean, grassy notes with a barley, brine and biscuit character

Machir Bay – fruity and aromatic, with clean, fresh red fruits, honey and malt biscuits, as well as punchy peat

Sanaig – silky mouthfeel with rich spice, soft peat and weighty dried fruits. Notable sherry influence

Loch Gorm – winter spices, notes of cinnamon, brioche, dark chocolate and cocoa, with peat and dried fruit in the background

Original Cask Strength – subtle and clean, with lemon, sea spray and woodsmoke

100% Islay PX Finish (the result of a mix-up in the distillery) – treacle toffee, dates, orange peel and cloves, with warm peat lurking

A big thank you to George for his very honest appraisal of what it takes to start your own whisky distillery. Kilchoman is now very much part of the Islay whisky scene, and its bottlings are much in demand. You can see our full Kilchoman range here.

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With an incredible selection of whiskies and other fine spirits there is certainly something for everyone – whether you are looking to collect, invest, enjoy!

Tormore 2002 Private Collection

Matured in first fill bourbon casks before double maturation in Coté Rôtie wine casks and bottled by Gordon & MacPhail. Sweet and creamy with soft spiced apple, butterscotch, and tangerine flavours.

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Words can’t really summarize this whisky. A limited edition, heavily peated, all sherry, cask strength BunnahabhainMoine Oloroso. Rich with raisins, sultanas, white chocolate, seaweed, BBQ smoke, hickory and a warming wash of spice. Truly outstanding, no more need be said about it. Enjoy!

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Aberlour Visitor Centre tastes success with global award win 

Rikki Scott, Visitor Centre Supervisor at Chivas Brothers’ Aberlour Distillery, has scooped a prestigious Whisky Magazine Global Icons of Whisky Award.

Rikki, who is from Rothes in Speyside, was named Visitor Attraction Manager of the Year 2017 at The Whisky Magazine Awards Presentation Dinner at The Wardorf Hilton Hotel, in London.

He was initially crowned as Scotland’s Visitor Attraction Manager of the Year in December, before moving through to the global finals where he beat competition winners from the Americas and Rest of the World.

Since joining Aberlour Distillery in May 2014, Rikki has shared his passion for Aberlour’s world-renowned malt whiskies with both visitors and colleagues, helping to boost visitor numbers and drive the success of the centre shop.

Last year, he also created a Driver’s Tasting Kit which enables motorists to take part in the initial nosing before dispensing the whisky into bottles to enjoy the tasting experience at home.

The Aberlour Visitor Centre, which lies at the heart of Speyside, recently re-opened its doors for the summer season, offering a variety of tutored nosing and tasting experiences of Aberlour’s exquisite collection.

Commenting on his award win, Rikki said: “I was very shocked but also very proud to win the Global Icons of Whisky Award. To be recognised globally is not only an achievement for the Aberlour Visitor Centre but also for the area as a whole.

“The award win is a real testament to the hard work and dedication of the team and the high standards we set ourselves each year to enhance the visitor experience.”

Notes

About Chivas Brothers

Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard, the world’s n°2 in wines and spirits. Chivas Brothers’ award-winning portfolio features some of the world’s most revered Scotch whisky brands including Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury whisky and the No.1 Scotch whisky in China; Ballantine’s, Europe’s No.1 Scotch whisky; The Glenlivet, the single malt whisky that set the standard; and Royal Salute, the world’s only exclusively prestige Scotch whisky range. The portfolio also includes two of the world’s leading English gins – Beefeater, the world’s most awarded premium gin, and Plymouth gin – plus a selection of highly acclaimed single malt whiskies, including Aberlour, Longmorn, Scapa, Strathisla and Tormore. The range is completed by a collection of blended Scotch whiskies operating in many of the world’s key whisky markets which includes 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport Scotch.

www.chivasspirit.com

Guests attending The Aberlour Visitor Centre can now book tours online: www.aberlour.com/distillery/

The Dramble aims to consolidate the voice of whisky bloggers  

The Dramble, launching today, aims to consolidate the independent whisky blog ecosystem, by connecting up reviews and tasting notes. Whisky appreciation is about the sharing of experiences and opinions. It’s an inherently social activity with a growing community of whisky lovers all over the world. The number of whisky blogs and news sites has risen massively over the past decade – each one adding to the rich tapestry of the vibrant, welcoming and knowledgeable online community. But, with so many blogs and so many different opinions to choose from, where should you start?

Created by two whisky enthusiasts, The Dramble recognises that everyone has different individual tastes and also different innate abilities to detect and identify specific tastes and flavours. The Dramble has been created to build a comprehensive and expertly-curated collection of tasting notes supported by additional reviews drawn from whisky bloggers worldwide. The goal of the new site is to help whisky enthusiasts build up their whisky knowledge and appreciation, whilst also providing bloggers with additional channels for people to discover their tasting notes on a dram-by-dram basis.

Speaking of the launch, Co-Founder Matt McKay said: “The world whisky community is a wonderful thing. From local tasting groups, through to festivals, brand ambassadors and commentators, everyone I meet shares the same love and passion for good whisky. In building this site, Danny and I hope that The Dramble becomes a go to starting point for anyone interested in learning more about whisky. It is all a matter of opinion – and we’d like you to add yours.”

As well as featuring tasting notes, The Dramble will also have a strong focus on people, with regular interviews and features which highlight the important contributions made by individuals within the industry. From distillers and blenders through to brand ambassadors and distillery tour guides, The Dramble will look to explore the lives of the people who make whisky what it is today.

NEW TO THE PARTY

Belle Meade Bourbon Madeira Cask Finish – Last week we had a single malt Scotch finished in a Malmsey Madeira cask. This week it’s a Tennessee Bourbon (yes, you read that right), finished in a Madeira cask. The newest special selection from Nelson Green Brier, this bottling is a blend of 6 to 9-year-old high-rye bourbon barrels finished in the sun-baked Madeira casks. All of the age on the bourbon, coupled with the Madeira finish, and non-chill filtered at bottling means this juice is absolutely packed with flavor. Expect everything from traditional baking spices of cinnamon, clove, and vanilla, to honey and caramel, little hints of nuts and dried red fruit, maybe a kiss of mint and some chocolatey tones; it’s a flavor bomb. For the true whisky enthusiast, get a bottle of the Glenmorangie Bacalta to try first, and then try this after. It will be a cool study in how a Malmsey Madeira cask finish affects a single malt versus a bourbon.

Minor Case Straight Rye Whisky – From the Limestone Branch Distillery, this is a sherry finished two years aged rye. The name is a tribute to Limestone Branch Distillery’s owners’ grandfather, Minor Case Beam. Minor Case made rye whisky before prohibition. The bottle is beautiful in and of itself. It’s embossed with the Minor Case Beam crest that minor used to put on his labels.  The whisky is nice and is exactly what you’d expect from a rye finished in a sherry barrel. It is rich rye spice wrapped in red fruit.

Linkwood 37yr Single Malt – Here’s a real treat. Linkwood is a bit of a house favorite here at The Party Source. We have long recommended the independent bottlings from Gordon & MacPhail. So it is with great excitement we now have this distillery edition 37-year-old to offer you! This bottle should be nothing short of a wonderful dram and should show a lovely depth of flavor with both floral and fruit notes alike.

Royal Brackla 12yr Single Malt – Here’s the first time in a long time that we’ve been able to offer whisky from Royal Brackla. In 1835, Brackla was the first distillery to be granted the royal warrant; meaning it provided goods to the royal household. It’s an oloroso matured single malt, and undeniably so. Aromas and flavors of ginger, cocoa powder, almonds, apples abound in this delicious malt.

Bunnahabhain Single Malts – We’ve been able to offer you some fantastic independent bottlings from Bunnahabhain, and now we can offer you the distillery selections too! The Bunnahabhain 12 year and Toiteach are both excellent pours. Pronounced boon – a – ha – vin, is one of the great distilleries from Islay (pronounced eye – luh). The 12yr is a nice soft mix of smoke, vanilla, oak, and fruit (cherry?). The Toiteach, which is Gaelic for smoky, delivers a nice, well integrated but ever present gentle smokiness amidst some fruit and spice. Best yet, these are both of natural color and non-chill filtered!

There’s been a lot of interest in the latest Springbank releases so just to let you know that the eagerly awaited annual release of Longrow 18, along with the Limited Edition 8 year old Kilkerran cask strength and a luscious Hazelburn 13 year old sherrywood, are now in stock. You can find them in our New Products section, along with other whiskies that include the first two bottles of a limited edition series from Tomatin that are both affordable and tasty!

NEW PRODUCTS

HAZELBURN 2003 13 YEAR OLD SHERRYWOOD WHISKY

Matured in Oloroso casks the tasting notes for this make it sound irrestible for those of you who love a rich and sweet style of whisky.
Nose – Initially raisins, marzipan, Demerara sugar followed by treacle, sticky toffee and wood shavings.
Taste – Homemade strawberry jam, sugary and filled with cream, orange zest, brandy snaps and a white chocolate creme brûlée.
Finish – Chocolate orange, crazy coffee liqueur, buttered popcorn, cocoa beans and mocha coffee with a delicate finish of sweet orange marmalade.

Buy Online: £ 54.99

BRUICHLADDICH 1992 24 YEAR OLD BLACK ART 5.1 SINGLE MALT

The first Black Art to be created by Adam Hannet since he took over from Jim McEwan as Head Distiller at Bruichladdich.

Buy Online: £ 249.99

TALISKER 30 YEAR OLD 2012 RELEASE SINGLE MALT

We have a very limited amount of the Talisker 25 year old and the Talisker 30 year old 2012 Special Releases back in stock

Buy Online: £ 378.99

TOMATIN 1971 44 YEAR OLD SINGLE MALT

The first release in Tomatin’s Warehouse 6 collection and one of only 252 bottles. Matured in an Oloroso Sherry butt, this is rather special…

Buy Online: £ 2599.99

AWARDED WHISKY MAGAZINE’S RETAILER OF THE YEAR FOR 2011

What’s your perfect Glengoyne Moment?

Where’s your favourite place to enjoy a dram of Glengoyne? At home with a crackling log fire for company? With friends on a picnic? Or in that gem of a pub after a long day on the hills? Show us your perfect Glengoyne Moment by sharing a photograph on our Moments mosaic page.

GLENGOYNE MOMENTS MOSAIC

SHARE YOUR OWN #GGNMOMENT & WIN

Tell us your name, where you’re from and where you took the shot; every quarter we’ll pick a winner to receive a special bottle of Glengoyne 10 Year Old – personalised with your name and the name of your Glengoyne Moment.

Our last winner Emma (and her lovely furry friend Bonnie) shared their favourite Moment – curled up by a crackling fire with an extra dash of warmth for Emma thanks to a wee dram of our 21 Year Old!

Use #GGNMoment to share yours and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to see our favourite Glengoyne Moments along the way.

As if that’s not enough, we’ll choose the best-of-the-best shots and display them right here at our home,– Glengoyne Distillery in Dumgoyne

SHARE YOUR MOMENT

Glengoyne Distillery, Dumgoyne, Near Killearn, Glasgow G63 9LB

Tel. +44 (0)1360 550 254

Email. reception@glengoyne.com

ISLAY CHARITIES RAISE A DRAM TO LAGAVULIN LEGACY 

A range of good causes on the famous whisky island of Islay raised a dram of Lagavulin to celebrate sharing in a major financial legacy from the distillery’s 200^th anniversary.

Representatives of the charities, including the local swimming pool, cyber café, arts and festival organisations, visited the distillery to officially mark the handover of £588,395 of funds which were raised through a special Lagavulin 200^th anniversary bottling.

The principal beneficiary of the funding is Islay Heritage, a ground-breaking new initiative which has been established to explore, conserve and promote Islay’s wealth of historical and archaeological sites. Islay is one of Scotland’s most important historical locations being home to Lords of the Isles and the epi-centre of the country’s early and pre-historical life. Now with a grant of £318,395 from the Lagavulin Legacy fund, the ambitious project aims to make Islay as famous for its history as it currently is for Scotch whisky.

The Lagavulin Legacy project will also fund the restoration and conservation of around 700 acres of peatlands on Islay in recognition of the vital role peat plays in the creation of Lagavulin and other whiskies for which Islay is famous.

A total of seven good causes will benefit from the Lagavulin Legacy fund* reflecting a range of local good causes and projects designed to further enhance Islay’s reputation as a ‘must-visit’ destination for global visitors.

Dr Nick Morgan, Diageo Head of Whisky Outreach, who led the Lagavulin 200^th Anniversary project, said: “The Lagavulin Legacy fund is not about making donations, it is about investing in the rich fabric of the Islay community. That’s why we’ve chosen a range of charities to support from very local community good causes, to the ambitious new Islay Heritage project which aims to really put Islay on the map as one of the world’s most important archaeological and historical destinations.”

Georgie Crawford, Lagavulin Distillery manager, added: “The celebrations for Lagavulin’s 200^th anniversary last year were fantastic, but the absolute highlight of it all is to be able to handover such a significant financial contribution to these good causes.

“It makes me incredibly proud to welcome our friends and partners here at the distillery to mark the handover of the funds. We look forward to continuing to work with these good causes and to seeing the legacy project bring real benefits to Islay and its communities.”

The Lagavulin 200^th anniversary legacy funds were raised through the sale of a special bottling of a Lagavulin 1991 Single Malt Scotch Whisky cask which was carefully selected by the distillery team and Diageo Chief Executive Ivan Menezes. Just 522 bottles were put on sale, 521 of the bottles via a special ballot on The Whisky Exchange at a price of £1,494 – a price set to acknowledge the historic year of the first recorded distillation of Scotch Whisky – with bottle no.1 then auctioned by The Whisky Exchange, raising a further £8,395.

The funds are being transferred to the charities with immediate effect to allow the legacy projects to progress at the earliest opportunity.

NOTES 

*Lagavulin 200 charity recipients

The proceeds received by Diageo from the sale of the Lagavulin 1991 bottling have been donated to the following registered charities in the following proportions, to fund projects on Islay which are designed to enhance the understanding of the rich and diverse history of Islay and enhance the life of the local community:

About Diageo

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits, beer and wine categories.  These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB, Buchanan’s, and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world.  The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO).  For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

About Diageo in Scotland

• Scotland is one of Diageo’s largest spirit supply centres responsible for producing nearly 50 million cases of leading brands of Scotch whisky and white spirits and over four million cases of Ready To Drink brands annually.
• Around 85% of Diageo’s production in Scotland is sold overseas.
• Diageo in Scotland currently employs around 3,500 people.
• Diageo currently operates 28 malt distilleries and one grain distillery and has a 50 per cent share in a further grain distillery.
• As well as engineering and technical support functions, there are extensive warehousing and packaging operations in Scotland and the company’s Scottish headquarters are in Edinburgh.

About Lagavulin

Local records suggest that Lagavulin was already a centre of whisky production in the early 18^th century. There had almost certainly been many other illicit stills before John Johnston founded the first legal distillery at Lagavulin Bay in 1816. As with all Scottish distilleries, it passed through the hands of different owners, including the celebrated Sir Peter Mackie, whose company became White Horse Distillers, forever associated with Lagavulin. White Horse joined The Distillers Company Ltd. (eventually Diageo) in 1927. In 1989, Lagavulin, now normally bottled at 16 years rather than the original 12, became one of the six Classic Malts of Scotland™.