Kilchoman has unveiled its first-ever Casado Scotch whisky.
Kilchoman Casado (Portuguese for marriage) is a limited edition bottling which was matured in fresh bourbon barrels for 6 years before 38 casks were selected and married together for two years in two 6,000 litre Portuguese red wine vats.
“The red wine marriage gives the whisky layers of red fruit and spices which complement the vanilla and butterscotch influence of the bourbon barrels beautifully,” Anthony Wills, Kilchoman Founder.
Experimenting and exploring different flavors throughout the whisky-making process is something Kilchoman is known for. In recent years barley variety and yeast influence have been discussed in depth but wood management remains a key part of any single malt. Wills wanted to try something out of the norm and purchased the 6,000 litre red wine vats at char level 2 and 3, each giving a slightly different impact on the whisky finishing inside, then marrying them together after a longer than usual finish.
On the nose, the whisky opens with intense campfire smoke balanced with ripe summer stone fruits; peach, plum, and cherry. Deep notes of marzipan become the focus combined with layered maritime notes. The red wine vatting brings pepper and spice on the first taste. Dry, salty peat smoke sits on the palate, yet fruit notes of apricot and lemon find their way through. The finish is long, which brings a hot, spicy character from the marriage in Portuguese red wine vats. Stewed, cooked fruit notes bring a sweet-jam profile providing an on-going sweetness that the classic Kilchoman smoke balances beautifully,
Kilchoman Casado is available beginning this week. For more information or for help in finding the whisky, head over to the brand’s official website.