Kilchoman Distillery

Kilchoman arrived on Islay in 2005 and immediately reminded everybody that whisky does not actually need giant industrial scale to be brilliant.

Built on Rockside Farm, it became the first new distillery on Islay in over 120 years and still remains one of the few proper farm distilleries left in Scotland. Barley grown on-site, traditional floor maltings, distilling, maturation and bottling all happening right there on the island. Very old-school setup, which whisky nerds understandably love.

The whisky style is classic Islay but with a fresher brighter edge than some of the heavier peat monsters nearby. Smoke obviously plays a big role, but there’s loads of citrus, orchard fruit and vanilla underneath it all rather than pure bonfire aggression.

Machir Bay is usually the gateway bottle. Peat smoke, lemon, sea salt and bourbon cask sweetness all working together beautifully. Then you get into Sanaig and the sherry cask influence starts piling in dark fruit, spice and richer smoky depth.

The 100% Islay releases are especially interesting because absolutely everything comes from the farm itself. Grain to glass on one island. Pretty rare in modern whisky production.

Despite becoming hugely respected worldwide, Kilchoman still feels personal compared to some larger Scotch distilleries. More tractors and warehouses than luxury brand theatre.

Which honestly suits Islay whisky perfectly.