Islay is a name that resonates with whisky lovers around the world—home to legendary distilleries like Laphroaig, Lagavulin, and Ardbeg. But nestled on the rugged west coast of the island, there’s a much younger name that's become a cult favourite: Kilchoman.
Founded in 2005, Kilchoman Distillery broke a 124-year dry spell by becoming the first new distillery on Islay since 1901. But it didn’t just revive distilling on the island—it revolutionised it.
🌾 A True Farm Distillery
Kilchoman is unique among Scotch whisky producers because it's a farm distillery—meaning it grows its own barley, malts it on site, distils, matures, and bottles, all at the same location. This “single farm single malt” model echoes traditional whisky-making methods, but it’s incredibly rare in the modern whisky world.
This approach gives Kilchoman complete control over every step of production, resulting in a whisky that truly expresses its Islay terroir.
🏭 The Kilchoman Experience: Grain to Glass
Barley
-
Grown on Rockside Farm, surrounding the distillery
-
Varieties like Concerto and Publican are commonly used
Malting
-
Traditional floor malting done on site
-
Peated to around 20–50 ppm, depending on the release
Distillation
-
Small copper stills produce a rich, oily spirit
-
Only ~30% of production is from their own barley; the rest uses Scottish-sourced grain
Maturation
-
Mainly ex-bourbon barrels and Oloroso sherry butts
-
On-site dunnage warehouses maintain Islay’s coastal influence
Bottling
-
Everything is bottled at the distillery, often non-chill filtered and natural colour
🥃 Core Expressions to Know
1. Machir Bay
-
Named after the nearby beach
-
A vatting of bourbon and sherry casks
-
Fresh, peaty, citrusy, and beautifully balanced
2. Sanaig
-
Heavier sherry cask influence
-
Dark fruits, sea spray, smoke, and toffee richness
3. 100% Islay
-
Made entirely from Kilchoman-grown barley
-
One of the only true “grain-to-glass” whiskies in Scotland
-
Light, creamy, and gently peated
4. Loch Gorm
-
Fully matured in Oloroso sherry casks
-
Rich, dark, and brooding with raisins, smoke, and spice
🏆 Awards & Recognition
Despite its youth, Kilchoman has collected numerous accolades, including:
-
Best Islay Single Malt (various years and bottlings)
-
World Whiskies Awards for both taste and packaging
-
Cult status among enthusiasts for limited editions
🌬️ What Makes Kilchoman Different?
-
Farm-to-bottle philosophy: Deep transparency and terroir
-
Small-scale production: Every cask matters
-
Innovation and tradition: Floor malting + modern maturation
-
Islay authenticity: Peat, sea air, and hand-crafted spirit
Kilchoman doesn’t just make whisky—it tells the story of Islay through every sip.
🧭 Planning a Visit?
Kilchoman offers tours, tastings, and a café with stunning views of the Atlantic. It’s a must-visit for anyone heading to Islay who wants a hands-on, intimate whisky experience far removed from large-scale commercial operations.
🥂 Final Thoughts
Kilchoman proves that small doesn’t mean limited—it means focused, passionate, and precise. As it continues to evolve, with new warehousing, expanded stills, and innovative cask experiments, it remains rooted in what made it special: integrity, provenance, and the spirit of Islay.
Next time you want to taste a dram that’s handcrafted from field to bottle, look no further than Kilchoman.