Review #560 - Kilchoman Batch Strength

Written By Me, My Wife & Whisky

Kilchoman Mini-Series: Part 4 of 6

A relatively new piece of Kilchoman's core range, beginning in 2024, is the Batch Strength release. This high-strength (57% ABV) single malt is made using heavily peated spirit - the barley used in the mashing process is smoked to a level of 50 ppm. It isn't quite a true 'cask strength' whisky - the distillery does add a small amount of water to the batches so that they're consistently bottled at the same strength.

After distillation, this whisky's spirit undergoes a maturation process of 3 different cask types: ex-bourbon (roughly 70%), Oloroso sherry (roughly 10%), and re-charred Portuguese red wine casks (roughly 20%).

Kilchoman Batch Strength

Scotland/Islay - Single Malt

Price: USD 84 (2025)

Age Statement: NAS

Strength: 57% ABV

Cask Makeup: Ex-bourbon, Oloroso sherry, and re-charred red wine casks

Details: Not chill filtered, no color added; bottled 2024

Tasting Methodology: Reviewed 1 time; bottle 50% fill level at time of review. Tasted in a nosing glass, rested 15+ minutes

Nose: Earthy, with a strong mineral scent; moderate peat arrives, accented by wood polish. Sweetness resides behind the peaty, earthy scents: vanilla, buttercream icing, lemon-lime soda. There's a spirity side, too, and accents of agave and lemon fruit.

Palate: A unique combination of sweet and spicy - a nice warmth from the strength, which also gives us a medium-thick mouthfeel. Buttery malt combines with freshly baked bread, more icing sugar, and mineral notes; peat is relatively strong now, and it's quite a dense palate.

Finish: A long finish, full of coal, ash, and peat - more smoky now than before. Pears, vanilla, and tinned light fruit add lighter notes, but it still feels a bit closed up.

Final Note: Good peaty single malt, if a bit tight; this benefits greatly from some water and time to open up the palate and finish. The Oloroso and red wine casks gave a more subtle influence - for us, this whisky displayed mostly peaty distillate notes and the light sugar and fruit flavors from the ex-bourbon casks. The strength gives this good texture, as well as plenty of length on the finish.

Value is above average - this isn't much more expensive than Kilchoman's other core range releases of Machir Bay and Sanaig, but it has plenty more strength and density. For those who have tried the other two options but want something more punchy, this is a good natural progression.

Our Average Rating: 7.5 / 10

In the current whisky landscape of increasing prices and variable quality, we've added a value rating to our reviews that relates to the score and the available pricing of each whisky. This roughly equates to a 0-10 scale; no reviews so far have exceeded a score of 10, although it is technically possible for the formula to produce a value rating higher than 10 with a high enough score and low enough price.

Value Rating: 6.85

About Us: We're a husband and wife review team living in the Midwest United States. Generally, our reviews and tasting notes will be a compilation of both of our experiences with a whisky over several tasting sessions.

Me, My Wife & Whisky
Previous

Review #561 - Kilchoman Port Cask Matured (2024)
Next

Review #559 - Kilchoman Loch Gorm (2024)