News & Articles
A Milestone Milestone for Islay: Kilchoman Family Collection – First Edition
Founded in 2005 as Islay’s first new distillery in 124 years, Kilchoman has consistently championed the farm-to-glass ethos and traditional craft distilling. With the release of the Kilchoman Family Collection – First Edition, the Wills family—Anthony, Kathy, and their sons George, James, and Peter—marks a historic milestone, offering a rare glimpse into the distillery’s oldest reserves.
This inaugural release is a curated four-bottle collection featuring some of the absolute oldest single casks ever bottled by Kilchoman, aged between 11 and 20 years. Each expression was personally hand-selected by a member of the Wills family, reflecting their individual palate, philosophy, and connection to the distillery's evolution.
The Collection at a Glance
1. George Wills’ Pick: 11-Year-Old Single Cask (Double Maturation)
Distilled: 2012 | ABV: 53.6%
Cask Type: Bourbon barrel for over 9 years, finished in an STR (Shaved, Toasted, Re-charred) cask for 21 months.
Tasting Profile: Opens with sweet peat smoke, vanilla, and ripe stone fruits on the nose. The palate offers rich caramelized apples, toasted spices, and a subtly charred oak influence, concluding with a long, lingering, smoky-sweet finish.
2. James Wills’ Pick: 14-Year-Old Single Cask (Sherry Matured)
Distilled: 2010 | ABV: 52.8%
Cask Type: Oloroso Sherry Butt
Tasting Profile: A classic Islay-Sherry harmony. The nose unveils dark chocolate, dried figs, and warm peat smoke. On the palate, sticky date pudding, orange peel, and clove spices build toward a velvety, deeply satisfying finish with earthy peat undertones.
3. Peter Wills’ Pick: 18-Year-Old Single Cask (Bourbon Matured)
Distilled: 2006 | ABV: 51.4%
Cask Type: Fresh Bourbon Barrel
Tasting Profile: Showcasing the profound maturity of early Kilchoman spirit. Bright tropical fruits, honeyed malt, and delicate maritime smoke define the nose. The palate is elegant and creamy, packed with vanilla custard, grilled pineapple, and subtle coastal salinity.
4. Anthony & Kathy Wills’ Pick: 20-Year-Old Single Cask (Bourbon Matured)
Distilled: 2005 (Kilchoman’s inaugural distilling year) | ABV: 49.1%
Cask Type: Fresh Bourbon Barrel
Tasting Profile: The crown jewel of the collection, originating from the distillery’s very first year of production. A complex bouquet of soft peat ash, orchard blossoms, beeswax, and aged oak. The palate delivers incredible depth with notes of poached pear, soft lemon curd, subtle peat, and a long, refined, historic finish.
The Kilchoman Family Collection is more than just an exclusive limited release; it serves as a live study in cask maturation, peat integration over two decades, and the remarkable evolution of modern Islay distilling. It highlights how farm-distilled spirit transforms across different maturation timelines—from vibrant 11-year-old double-matured expressions to nuanced, 20-year-old historic single casks.
