Kilchoman Family Collection 18 Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky 1st Edition

Kilchoman Family Collection 18 Year Old Ex-Bourbon Barrels Single Malt Scotch Whisky 1st Edition

Islay Single Malt | 50% ABV | 100 Proof | 700mL | Aged 18 Years | Scotland | Limited Release | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color

Process & Profile

Kilchoman Family Collection 18 Year Old Ex-Bourbon Barrels explores the distillery’s smoky Islay spirit after eighteen years of bourbon barrel maturation. Part of the inaugural Family Collection released in 2026, it comes from casks selected by the founding Wills family during their annual review of maturing stock.

Made using heavily peated barley sourced from Port Ellen Maltings, this expression begins with a malt specification of approximately 50 ppm. Extended aging in ex-bourbon barrels develops vanilla, honey, caramel and ripe fruit around the smoky spirit, while citrus and oak spice maintain balance.

Bottled at 50% ABV without chill filtration or added color, the whisky offers a rounded combination of sweet malt, fruit and coastal peat smoke. It presents a mature interpretation of Kilchoman’s characteristic style, with bourbon oak supporting the spirit throughout its full maturation.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Soft peat smoke, vanilla and honey, followed by citrus, ripe fruit, caramel and sweet malt.

• Palate: Vanilla, honey and fruit sweetness, balanced by citrus, smoky malt, pepper and oak.

• Finish: Long, with lingering peat smoke, vanilla and oak spice, plus a light coastal note.

What Makes It Special

• Aged 18 years: Nearly two decades of maturation develop its rounded fruit, oak and smoke profile.

• Full ex-bourbon maturation: Bourbon barrels contribute vanilla, caramel and sweetness.

• Port Ellen malt: Made with heavily peated barley specified at approximately 50 ppm before distillation.

• Wills family selection: Drawn from casks chosen by Kilchoman’s founding family.

• First Edition: Part of the inaugural Family Collection launched in 2026.

• Natural presentation: Bottled at 50% ABV, non-chill filtered and without added color.

How to Enjoy

Serve neat in a tulip-shaped glass and allow a few minutes for the vanilla, fruit and smoke aromas to open. Add water gradually to explore how the sweetness, oak and peat change.

For a pairing, consider aged cheddar, roasted almonds or dark chocolate to complement the whisky’s sweet and smoky character.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is Kilchoman Family Collection 18 Year Old peated?
Yes. It uses heavily peated barley from Port Ellen Maltings at approximately 50 ppm. This figure describes the malt before distillation, rather than the peat level in the finished whisky.

2. What casks are used for Kilchoman Family Collection 18 Year Old?
The whisky matures entirely in ex-bourbon barrels for eighteen years. These casks contribute vanilla, honey, caramel and oak spice alongside Kilchoman’s smoky spirit.

3. How does Kilchoman Family Collection 18 Year Old differ from the 14 Year Old?
Both mature in ex-bourbon barrels. The 18 Year Old uses Port Ellen malt peated to approximately 50 ppm, while the 14 Year Old uses farm-grown Rockside barley malted on-site at approximately 20 ppm. They also have different aging periods and bottling strengths.

4. What does Kilchoman Family Collection 18 Year Old taste like?
Expect vanilla, honey, caramel and ripe fruit, balanced by citrus, peat smoke and oak spice. The finish carries lingering smoke, sweetness and a light coastal character.

5. Where can I buy Kilchoman Family Collection 18 Year Old Ex-Bourbon Barrels Single Malt Scotch Whisky 1st Edition?
You can purchase Kilchoman Family Collection 18 Year Old Ex-Bourbon Barrels Single Malt Scotch Whisky 1st Edition directly from The Barrel Tap.