Kilchoman Family Collection 1st Edition 20 Years Old Ex-Bourbon Barrels 49.9%

Kilchoman Family Collection 1st Edition 20 Years Old is a historic Islay Single Malt and an impressive example of how beautifully Kilchoman’s whisky evolves with age. With 20 years of maturation in ex-bourbon barrels, we find ourselves right back in the distillery’s early years on Islay.

The long maturation has given the whisky a rare elegance and depth. Kilchoman’s characteristic peaty smoke has become more rounded, while citrus, ripe fruit, vanilla, and oak have had time to blend together. It is a whisky with history, maturity, and a distinct Kilchoman character.

20 years of maturation in ex-bourbon barrels

This special bottling has been aged in ex-bourbon barrels. This cask type allows Kilchoman’s own distillate to shine while adding classic notes of vanilla, caramel, honey, and spicy oak.

After 20 years, the peat smoke has evolved from youthful intensity to a more elegant and integrated smokiness. Ripe fruit, citrus, and sweet malt remain distinctly present. At the same time, the many years in the cask add greater complexity with waxy tones, spices, and old oak.

The whiskey is bottled at 49.9%. The alcohol content provides lovely intensity and enhances the many aromas without overpowering the mature character. Feel free to let it breathe in the glass for a while so the various layers have a chance to unfold.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Elegant and complex with ripe fruit, citrus, and soft peat smoke. Vanilla, honey, and caramel develop alongside sweet malt, spices, and mature oak.

Palate: Full-bodied and refined with creamy vanilla, honey, and ripe fruits. Citrus adds freshness, while caramel and sweet malt are followed by spicy oak. The mature peat smoke runs elegantly through the entire palate.

Finish: Very long and complex, with soft peat smoke, vanilla, and oak. Ripe fruit, citrus, and spices linger alongside a light maritime character and a warm, elegant finish.

Kilchoman Family Collection

The Kilchoman Family Collection consists of specially selected casks from the family’s warehouses on Islay. The 1st Edition includes four whiskies aged 11, 14, 18, and 20 years, respectively. The series offers a unique opportunity to experience Kilchoman’s evolution from a mature Islay Single Malt to some of the distillery’s very oldest whiskies.

The 20-year-old edition is the crowning achievement of the first Family Collection. With two decades of aging, it reveals a side of Kilchoman that only a few previous bottlings have been able to showcase. Here, it’s not just about powerful Islay smoke, but just as much about balance, maturity, and complexity.

Kilchoman Distillery – from 2005 to 20-Year-Old Whisky

Kilchoman Distillery was founded by Anthony Wills in 2005 at Rockside Farm on Islay. The vision was to revive the tradition of small farm distilleries and create whiskey with a strong connection to Islay, the raw ingredients, and traditional craftsmanship.

Kilchoman is still run by the Wills family and is today one of Islay’s most recognized independent distilleries. The fact that Kilchoman can now present a 20-year-old Single Malt marks an important milestone in the distillery’s history.

The Kilchoman Family Collection 20 Years Old is therefore more than just an aged whiskey. It tells the story of a family-owned distillery that began its journey in 2005 and can now showcase the result of two decades of patience in the cask. A rare Kilchoman for both the collector and the passionate Islay enthusiast.

• Country: Scotland
• Region: Islay
• Producer: Kilchoman Distillery
• Series: Family Collection 1st Edition
• Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
• Age: 20 years
• Cask Type: Ex-bourbon barrels
• Volume: 70 cl
• Alcohol: 49.9%