ralfy review 996 - Kilchoman Machir Bay @ 46%vol:

[@henderskpeal7407]

Oh my god my malt mention!!! Thanks so much!

[@Bowman1999]

I've been a big fan of Kilchoman and especially Machir Bay for at least 10 years now. Kilchoman just knows how to make Whisky the correct way.

[@christinecamley]

Kilchomen is a fabulous distillery! I have enjoyed 3 bottles of this expression and I have loved every dram!!

[@mrnosebear7406]

Hi Ralfy, Thanks for reviewing the Machir Bay. This is indeed a really good whisky and an excellent distillery, too. I visited Kilchoman in 2017 and it was fantastic. Friendly and lovely people working at the distillery and the distillery shop. Need to came back in the future. Cheers from a pat-pal in Germany

[@neilynmafan3975]

Got over a dozen Kilchomans, can’t fault any of them. And had a memorable visit couple years back. Top top distillery.

[@coachace123]

A few days ago I picked up both Kilchoman Sanaig & Machir Bay. I made the purchase based on your next video ,"chasing the peat monsters", and that night I tried Sanaig, again based on your comment about that being one you'd go to without worries. It was lovely. Tonight I'm tasting Machir Bay, and you're absolutely correct. I'd get this over Lagavulin 16 today. Discovering these labels I've never tried before is quite satisfying. Thanks for all your honest reviews!

[@Matt-gf4gd]

When I started out on my whisky journey some 6 or so years ago, I stumbled upon a handful of special North American Tour Kilchomman Machir Bay bottlings. They did 800 some bottlings with this batch and I happened to find bottles 1 and 3. I ended up picking up a few of them, being excited and new in my journey at the time and recently discovering that I loved peated Islay Scotch. I think I paid $50/each at the time, which feels like a bargain these days for a quality cask strength limited release Islay Scotch. This review makes me tempted to crack open one of those bottles, but I have too many open bottles to work through as-is. Cheers and slainte Ralfy!

[@jyanik33]

Kilchoman is my favorite distillery! Luckily in my part of the US we see some of the more rare bottlings in addition to machir bay and sanaig (I’m more of a sanaig fan too!). The cask strength sherry expressions they send our way are just divine. Thanks Ralfy for all the great content!

[@Dutch2504k]

I know that years and years ago you were already talking about orchids, when you found the scent of Stanhopea in one of your whisky reviews. I am an orchid grower for like 40 years and I often think to myself: "Hey, that is a Dendrobium or Cattleya scent I am smelling there" Glad I am not the only one and look forward to your extra about it some day! :)

[@sandrofazzolari8833]

What a splendidly described review dear Ralfy. Much appreciated as always. Kindest regards, S.

[@Aircraftsystemst]

Ralfy, me and my brother climbed Snaefell 6 months ago. Great experience and we also visited the lighthouse in the north of the island and the traditional cottage. It was an experience that will live long in my memory!!❤️🙂

[@peatbull3426]

Excellent review of really good whisky. 85/86 for me. Like you Ralfy Sanaig is closer to my heart. Peat + sherry is a perfect combo. Enjoyable evening with you and beautiful bottle of water of life. Cheers 👍😁🥂🙋🏻‍♂️

[@barryrickert6544]

wonderful review. I live her in U.S. PA. i just ordered both of their offerings, that are available here, Sanaig and the Machir Bay. can't wait to enjoy them. Absolutely love Islay peated scotch. Take care Ralphy, God Bless, Barry.

[@jimm8799]

Started listening to your whisky reviews back at 300 and something. Looking forward to 1000.

[@tonylastname6468]

My introduction to Kilchoman was years ago, in, wait for it, a little independent retailer in Halifax, Nova Scotia, 🇨🇦. They had most of not all the offerings at that time. And we sampled most. Bishop's Cellar, in Bishop's Landing. What an eye opening. I walked out with 2 bottles, I would have gotten more, but my budget was limited. Always been a fan. I'm encouraged that you are openly professing the contributions of non age stated whisky.

[@langbroekmd]

I totally agree with you Ralfy on the high quality of the Kilchoman Distillery tour. Even had a chance to have a small chat with Anthony Wills.

[@kfordcurler]

I can second this. My wife and I were at Kilchoman a couple weeks ago as part of a larger Scotland trip and the distillery visit was amazing. The visitor center staff was super friendly, knowledgeable, and transparent about the whisky. Their grain to glass 100% Islay is very unique. A note for enthusiasts is to become a free Kilchoman Club member online and you will receive a free 20 ml sample of any of their releases. So naturally I chose their distillery exclusive 16 year sherry butt matured release. Can't wait to try!

[@RebMordechaiReviews]

I'm really looking forward to getting my hands on the new Kilchoman 100% Islay 13th Edition which is the first all Ex-Bourbon barrel edition since the 9th edition. I've heard that it is absolutely superb.

[@SauliJP]

Ah fantastic to finally see a bottle of Kilchoman on the cask! Such a good bottle from a great distillery. Would've liked to see Kilchoman featured in the OSWA's best distillery category. Maybe next year.

[@domanz1]

I got some Machir Bay CS waiting for me. Right now I got a Sanaig open and it's the best whisky I've tasted in a long time. It knows no neck pour, it's excellent immediatly.

[@MB11235]

Did a tour of Arran, Campbeltown, Islay and Jura this summer, have to say Kilchoman has grown on me, years past it was too sweet up front and hot/rough at the finish. This and the Loch Gorm were absolutely worth the price and I was really disappointed with how much more expensive Lagavulin has become, fully agree with your assessment of the two!

[@alekseilo1607]

Thank you for the review. For me being a big fan of Sanaig, your review has switched my vision of Machir Bay from considering it as a pale Sanaig's shadow to respecting it as quite self consistent phenomenon. That is worth of abandoning the Kilchoman variants mutual comparison, and turn to catching the re-echoing from Lagavullin or Laphroig. I look forward to nice experience.

[@kaiserhog]

Available in Bentonville Arkansas!

[@jimmclachlan5941]

Great whisky from this distillery , never had a bad one , i recently purchased the calvados cask matured version , a slightly unusual taste but still great stuff.

[@samout321]

Thanks for video, Ralfy, I was just wondering about what to buy next, you solved my problem :-).

[@stevensarson482]

Just discovered Kilchoman and unless there’s a hole in the bottle , my sipping is less refined than yours. I’m something of a ‘midnight malingering merry malt merchant’ but even so I’ve not yet tried this glorious whisky with my cornflakes!

[@rami26s1]

Absolutely love Kilchoman, even though I am biased to Ardbeg. Have a 5 year old cask strength single cask that is a peat explosion. Thank you for highlighting this malt.

[@johnandrus3901]

Nice review. When I first saw this in my local shop many years ago, I thought that it looked interesting. It was in the gift pack with two glencairns. I purchased it and went home to give it a try. I liked it a lot. Very young, but oh so tasty. I've kept the box to put the new bottles in it. It makes for a nice display in my bar. I haven't tried their other expressions yet. I think that it is time to do so.

[@johnmcpherson3661]

Found a bottle here in Tennessee. The taste of bourbon is very upfront. I think time in the barrel has been too short for proper taste as whisky, but a fine bourbon by any means. Absolutely love my time in Scotland, as any McPherson would. Love you show as well as Clives.

[@thenavajoknow]

Kilchoman's Machir Bay and Sanaig are must-have standards and Islay best buys in my opinion. From bottle design to the whole distillery concept this is a great enterprise. The only thing I find a bit exasperating is the insane amount of different releases and I do hope that as they release older whiskies they will narrow the portfolio somewhat.

[@Nasosdag]

It has been on my radar for a while, just managing the budget (because some shaving soaps and brushes had to be purchased...). But looking forward to trying it.

[@UFO1601]

Absolutely adore Kilchoman, and like yourself Ralfy, love the Sanaig, but do us Kilchoman lovers a favour, dont tell everyone about it 🤫🤓

[@richardkilley6838]

It's not a hill ralfy it's a mountain, only just I'll give you that but still a mountain! I'm glad you did a review of this one, I've been trying to decide whether or not to add it to the stash!

[@henrykDzieciontko]

My great grandfather Macdonald was born in kilchoman then moved to Bowmore then Glasgow . He was born 1879 and i was born 1979 . I do like this malt a lot .

[@michaelgoodwin593]

What are you trying to say exactly?

[@michaelgonzalez347]

Kilchoman has been a very good distillery over the years. I'm starting to sample more and more of the collection. Integrity bottles are a plus.

[@ericlani2622]

Was drinking some of this over the weekend. Love it when I'm on the same wavelength as our boy Ralphy

[@themightiestofbooshes9443]

I need to visit the UK sometime to try these whiskys... Still haven't forgotten about The Co-op's Blended Scotch Whisky; don't remember which episode that was. Not available in the USA that I can find!

[@lightplays2181]

Kilchoman one of the best distillery , my favorite Sanaig .Cheers !

[@chentim1751]

Great review, always!! looking forward to 1000 review

[@jvg3fiona]

OK Ralph, I’m going to buy a bottle tomorrow… I’m usually an Ardbeg or Laphroiag guy - but I can’t do the peat in hot weather either- now it’s getting cooler and this is will be my 1st payday purchase!

[@Ivytea]

well how did ya like it compared to the trusty Ardbeg 10?

[@jvg3fiona]

@@Ivytea I like this better but it’s no match for the Uigeadail

[@Ivytea]

@@jvg3fiona I take that it is somewhat lighter on the smoke and more sweet? Less oily/full?

[@jvg3fiona]

@@Ivytea just overall a lot of craft quality from a smaller Islay distillery; also love the peated malt with a secondary maturation in Oloroso sherry casks- good price point too

[@markanderson8677]

I'm having a hard time getting off the Sanag. Maybe I just need to buy a bottle of the Machir Bay and give it a try. Ralphy has always pointed me in the right direction. - Thanks from Minnesota USA '-)

[@stephanodermatt5467]

Kilchoman is such a great distillery. Wasn't able to visit it while staying on Islay, though, because it was too far off to reach by public transportation, unfortunately. Their Single Malts are amazing. I especially enjoy the 100% Islay ones, and, Machir Bay is always ready to be enjoyed here as well as it offers such great value for a very reasonable price.

[@grantgallagher8592]

Hi there. I was very excited to hear your review of this, which has become one of my standard go-to bottles. I truly enjoyed your comments on the whisky itself and on the distillery in general. I'm going to have to go back to your episode 62 to hear your discussion of the new make spirit. I couldn't help but agree with your contrast with Lagavulin - I no longer buy the 16, the whacky 11 is too eccentric for me, the 9 is quite generic to me and the 8 is really the expression that I feel is carrying the torch for the "Spirit of Lagavulin". The somewhat overpriced 12 year old special releases are also very good but, well, money etc. So, I have bought Machir Bay every year since I found it and I have always enjoyed it. I like the nose, the viscosity and the layered flavor. I will be adding some water (a thing I rarely do) tonight. This year's release here in the USA has a younger taste to me than in previous years - as if some esters got out of control and are doing a streak across the bourbon baseball field. However, the peat is beautifully integrated into the general experience, as well as making a welcoming cloud in the glass to prime you for the taste. I'm going to be looking for the mint and elderflower, which I haven't yet identified. As an aside, I do find your sensory depth and description to be very helpful in my own learning. A beautiful dram, and thank you. One other interesting thing about Kilchoman and Machir v Sanaig, is that their comparison allows one to truly perceive and learn about the effect of casks, since it's the same spirit that goes in to either bourbon or sherry. This makes it a great discussion point with friends and another great learning point. As Janik33 says below, there are unusual versions of Kilchoman here in the USA. In New Jersey for example, there's a 10yo available, which I hadn't seen before, and on my list (it's expensive tho - close to $100 if I recall). Thank you again, Ralfy, for another excellent review with the bonus that it is one of my long-term favorites! Best, G.

[@danielwatson382]

Just purchased a bottle of this today as a little present to myself after a big win at work. Fantastic to login here and see this . Purchased fairly blind just looking for something non chill filtered, natural colour and 46% as taught 😂

[@guitarsmurf2501]

Just poured one when this video landed. Slainte! 😊

[@markoldeheuvel6574]

Same here

[@hetutopia]

Wonderful stuff indeed 😊

[@Dean-gt2cr]

Big fan of Machir Bay the whisky and the actual bay which the whisky is named after. Also there is a beautiful memorial to the American troops lost off the coast in 1918 which might interest any of the audience across the pond thinking about visiting

[@grahamokeefe9406]

Trying it for the first time as I watch this. My favorite Islays so far are the Lagavulin 16, and the Port Charlotte 10 (Honorable mention to Uigeadail. This seems a bit sharp, but I dig it.

[@gareth630]

Had two Loch Gorm's and loved them, Will give this a shot in the new year. Caught the OSWA show the other night, good stuff and well done you and Roy. The last category has an Elephant sat in the room ( we can argue till the cows come in over its selection, I also know the selection process so not having a pop ) Ledaig 18 second then 😞

[@standrewpics]

I remember having an unofficial visit to the still house a few years ago , I will have to return to the distillery and have a proper tour . I know they have their own malting’s . This is the best independent whisky distillery in Scotland in my opinion. The whisky you have reviewed is the only Kilhoman whisky I have tried. I wild camped over night at Machir Bay , a cycle ride from the ferry .

[@Xero15]

Hope you review the cask strength version of Machir Bay (58.3%), in the future.

[@malt.and.capsaicin]

What do you think of the 100% Islay expression, any plans to review one? That's the one that made me fall in love with Kilchoman in 2016 - and despite the batch variation, it's still my favourite from their core range (Loch Gorm is a close runner up). 20ppm instead of 50, but absolutely gorgeous.

[@paulm749]

Machir Bay is good stuff. Recently, I purchased a bottle of cask strength Machir Bay thinking that it might provide more intense, deeper flavors than the standard 46% strength bottling. Unfortunately, it didn't really work out that way. Yes, the cask strength is stronger, but it doesn't seem to yield up anything you can't already find in the standard bottling whether you take it straight or with water. I wasn't disappointed with the cask strength per se, but I'll save my money next time and buy the standard Machir Bay instead.

[@harrienelle6471]

Had a bottle of these a few years ago. Bought it again yesterday. One of my favorites. Edit : About your remarks on Lagavulin... A standard 12 y.o. Lagavulin goes for 1,5 times the money as this Kilchoman here in Belgium. Lagavulin used to be one of my favorites but it seems to be so overhyped nowadays and because of that...heavily overpriced. And if Lagavulin has indeed gone to an automated, industrial, way of producing....then I remember a wisdom you stated in an old review. One you did a long long time ago (you probably still had the beard, haha) : When the distiller keeps giving in to demand and profit, the quality will wane...

[@elduderino3120]

I think I like the Senaig more than Ledaig 10. Certainly better than Laga 16 or Laphroaig.

[@justinafuchs2619]

I’m 💯 with you, and I have to say I’m enlightened to see how so many Malt lovers here appreciate the intrinsic quality of Kilchoman. I know big corporate owned distilleries like Lagavulin and Laphroig have many fans, they have huge marketing departments and are very “visible”. But they castrate (some of) their whiskies, they chill filter it, add artificial colour and bottle it at 40 or 43 %. Lagavulin was my first love, it brought me into whisky, but it could be so much more .. I prefer the Kilchoman Loch Gorm over the Lagavulin 16 any day of the week, and it’s great to see how many “whisky nerds” here appreciate what Kilchoman is doing. It’s a great family-run distillery, and their whiskies are fantastic.

[@amauridiaz2609]

One of my favorites

[@Onoelo23gf]

I bought two Gift Packs of Kichoman Machir Bay, a 700 ml bottle + an etched balloon glass at GBP 32.5 each and two Sanaig 700 ml for GBP 38.25 each. Prices have been at this point for over two years. The Sanaig went up by two quid on Aug 01. Luv 'em. Gurgaon, Haryana, India has the lowest prices in the world, though the variety is less than an Airport DFS like Heathrow/ Frankfurt/Singapore/ Dubai.

[@unknownpleasures100]

Did you buy the gift packs from UK? If so where!!

[@gummybearkiller1]

A tip Ralfy. Fill the glencairn glass to the widest part (3-4cl?) to give a better reference on how much water you dilute it with.

[@funkyskypilot]

That’s some circuitous reasoning right there; but I like it.😂

[@rudytrimarco5623]

Really interesting, you would pick this over Lagavulin 16yo?

[@HansAPlast-sw6ho]

😊

[@plamengeorgiev2284]

Would you review Kilchoman Loch Gorm, please?

[@Brad-ic4bp]

I’ve seen Kolchomam on the shelf, and like that it’s not artificial colored or chill filtered, but not having an age statement on the bottle always makes me a little hesitant.

[@125ctg]

Do you drink age or do you drink taste?

[@carlprondzinski1719]

​@@125ctgexactly, especially for that price

[@Brad-ic4bp]

Taste, but it’s been my experience that a15 year age stated single malt is the never-disappoints range for taste vs price.@@125ctg

[@justsaying8159]

So is the sanaig really that much better? Because that was also your new system and it got 90 points.

[@brentkasl6510]

Any plans on reviewing newer distillery Toraphaig?

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . yes.

[@brentkasl6510]

We toured it in May 2022 while on Skye Very nice distillery and farm history, looking forward to your expert opinion

[@rkostyantyn]

As for Kilchoman, I personally find it hard to estimate its true value because they don't have the age statement on all the major releases. It is difficult to make a choice simply by the names of the releases and the colors of the labels. Same with Wolfburn.

[@NickVolk]

🤝👌

[@carlprondzinski1719]

I don't really think an age statement is needed for the machir bay and sanaig. As for all the other releases, most of the time you can look the ages of all the casks used up on their website. That's even more transparency than from other distilleries.

[@rkostyantyn]

@@carlprondzinski1719 At the moment I'm drinking Caisteal Chamuis Heavily Peated NAS Blended Malt and I really like it. And costs 3 times less than Sanaig) And it's hard to compare their true value in relation to the price and prefer Sanaig, for example... Kilchomans are also more expensive than Ledaig 10, PC 10...

[@geofre44]

Try tasting it.

[@daniellmarcussen2599]

Machir Bay is perfect with oysters.

[@alyr9640]

Happy Malty Monday Dear Sir!❤

[@thewhiskybothy]

hello 😁

[@ruipedroparada]

Their Madeira aged liquid (tasted last year) was remarkable as well

[@RebMordechaiReviews]

As far as kashrus (kosher issues) are concerned, this is an interesting one. Most kashrus organisations (except the very strict) will allow up to 10% of the casks in the final marriage of casks (excluding finishing) to be Ex-Sherry/Wine etc as they assume that the 90% Ex-Bourbon/Virgin/Rum casks are by far the most dominant flavour due to the assumption that the distillery will be using Refill Ex-Sherry casks. Why? Because, as the logic goes, First-Fill Sherry casks costs a lot of money and are bought for the dark red fruit flavours they infuse into the whisky. They wouldn't use just 10% of expensive casks in the marriage as it would negate the whole reason for spending all that money. However, Kilchoman break that assumption. They use 90% First-Fill Ex-Bourbon and 10% specially commissioned First-Fill Spanish Oloroso Sherry 250L hogsheads. Even at 10%, because they are First-Fill and still contain a few litres of sherry at the bottom of the cask, they will in fact contribute a significant prune/red fruit/raisins flavour to the whisky, contradicting the assumptions of many kashrus organisations. The general rule is, that if you can't taste the influence of the non kosher substance (in this case the sherry) then you can cancel it out. However, by any objective opinion (and I'm not just talking about so called "experts"), you can indeed clearly taste the influence of the sherry with this Machir Bay and therefore, in my personal opinion, this renders it not suitable for Orthodox Jews.

[@herbertwest7]

What a coincidence. I had some of this fine spirit just this evening.

[@onYTsince2008]

Wonderful review of another NAS. So in old Ralfy scores, this would have been like an 88/100, I'm guessing.... 😆🥃

[@tonywaters737]

Malt mention -“mystical, misty moments make malts” 😂

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . now on the M-mention List, thanks !

[@peterwhitehead2453]

This is an amazing whisky once you become accustomed to it. Proceed with caution however, it’s complex & heavily peated. Give it time and I agree with Ralfy, add some water, you will be well rewarded. If peat is not your thing it won’t be for you, just saying!

[@cristianatala101]

Ralfy. Orchids are a plant family with several genera and over 25000 species. Here a botanist and malt mate

[@Baris-1]

The first time I poured a dram of Machir Bay, I thought of gummy bears 🤔 mint, elderflower spot on 🥃

[@marcossuzuki5859]

Muito bom spirit

[@kreamysoaps]

It’s already watered down Ralfy! 😂

[@garynapolitano1270]

Ralfy, can you steer me to a light/medium peated whiskey with a sweet malt body ?

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . Balvenie Peat Week.

[@alehhandro1]

I think it’s high time Kilchoman have us a 10, 12, and 15 year old bottlings! I find it hard to justify buying their NAS releases that cost quite a bit more than Glencadam 10 year old or Cragellachie 13 year old, or Arran 10 year old.

[@simonsherratt1484]

Don't get too hung up on the age statements, in today's market the Machir Bay represents good value for money. Perhaps the Sanaig too but I'm yet to try it

[@alehhandro1]

To each their own. Total Wine lists Machir Bay for $66 on their website. Lagavulin 8 year old is only 6 dollars more at $72. Now if Kilchoman put an 8 year old statement on Machir Bay it would be a different story. Ardbeg 10 year old is listed at $57. Maybe not as great as it used to be a few years ago but still a much better deal at these prices. With all this in mind my limited whisky budget is better spent in places other than the Kilchoman farm/distillery.

[@richmanricho]

Machir Bay whisky sours yum yum

[@ezequielalgaze4736]

Sanaig is for me one of the best peat bombs …

[@wadew5100]

Now that my mouth is watering after the revue, this is a must try 😊. Happy day.

[@joethebar1]

My buddy and I tried this last summer and both agreed it was the worst peated whiskey we had tried. Has an awful string of notes in there and it isn’t cheap

[@jhdgdyhi8]

good enough for me..

[@RebMordechaiReviews]

Malt Score 84% Conversion rate for NRC (New Ralfy Score) is NRC + 3 = ORS Therefore ORS (Old Ralfy Score) = 87%😁

[@maltontiger3144]

I think add 4/5 to get the old scores

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . correct 😉

[@dane5896]

👍🥃

[@ccuellar6212]

Other than an occasional Bourbon I just can’t bring myself to purchase an NAS whiskey nowadays.

[@paulm749]

Then you're missing out on some very good whisky. In addition to the Kilchoman malts, Isle of Raasay is another newer distillery that's producing some young spirit that tastes much more mature and flavorful than you might expect. The better distilleries are proving that well-made spirit put into quality, active casks can yield very good results after only a few years.

[@Alcuin_of_York]

Hello you malty mysterious monastic monarchists mates

[@kellyj5389]

Love the channel.

[@heisenbergguy7772]

I doubt it’s a Zoological Garden. You are probably thinking of Botanical Garden “Malt Mate”! Just saying

[@robfut9954]

This isn’t an 84 in my book… was not a fan. Very barn yard and young. Also was a very expensive bottle, will not be buying this brand for a very long time.

[@31415as]

2:05 What a wonderful introduction - for this video and this island. 🥲