Kilchoman Madiera Cask 2022

Score: 79

The Kilchoman Madeira Cask 2022 didn’t just win the club’s Champion of Champions, it rewrote the rules of what a finish-forward Islay whisky could be. Distilled in May 2016 and matured for over five years in 46 fresh Madeira hogsheads, it was bottled at a bold 50% ABV and released in March 2022 to immediate acclaim. What set it apart wasn’t just the technical finesse, though the balance between Kilchoman’s signature peat and the rich, fruity depth of Madeira was masterful—it was the way it captured the club’s imagination. The nose offered a heady mix of rum-soaked raisins, marzipan, and smoky mulch, while the palate danced between almond, saline leather, and warm vanilla. But it was more than tasting notes. This bottle anchored the night with a sense of occasion. Its rose-gold hue in the glass added visual drama, and its ability to unite both peat purists and finish fanatics made it a rare beast.