Kilchoman Machir Bay
Kilchoman Machir Bay is a 750mL Islay single malt bottled at 46% ABV, non-chill-filtered and natural in colour, with no age statement. Kilchoman's flagship since 2012, it is a bourbon-led vatting — predominantly first-fill bourbon barrels with a smaller proportion of Oloroso sherry casks — over barley peated to 50 ppm, giving lemon, vanilla and tropical fruit over a clean maritime smoke. Machir Bay is named for the beach on Islay's west coast that Kilchoman calls the island's most spectacular, a short walk from the distillery at Rockside Farm. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 46%
- Size: 750mL
- Age: No age statement
- Casks: Bourbon-led vatting — predominantly bourbon barrels with Oloroso sherry casks
- Peat: Barley peated to 50 ppm
- Distillery: Kilchoman, Rockside Farm, Islay, Scotland; non-chill-filtered, natural colour
The Bottle That Put a Farm Distillery on the Map
When Anthony Wills built Kilchoman at Rockside Farm in 2005 — the first new Islay distillery in over 124 years — Machir Bay, launched in 2012, was the whisky that had to prove a farm distillery belonged in Islay's first rank. It did: Gold Best in Class at the IWSC in its launch year, Gold Outstanding with 98 points at the IWSC in 2022, and Gold at San Francisco in 2023, among a long list since. The style is Islay with the windows open — bourbon-cask brightness over honest peat, bottled on the farm where the barley grows. Pour it against its sherry-led sibling on the Kilchoman vendor page and explore the island further in our Scotch whisky collection.
Tasting Notes
Kilchoman's notes describe lemon zest, vanilla and coastal air, then floral notes, peach and pear; a palate of tropical fruit, sultanas, honey, malt and butterscotch through warming smoke; and a long finish of sherry-soaked fruit, cracked pepper and sea salt over citrus sweetness and maritime peat.
How to Enjoy
Neat or with a splash of water — the classic introduction to modern Islay. Peat-curious drinkers can compare styles across our whisky collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Machir Bay the same as Machir Bay Cask Strength?
No. This is the core Machir Bay at 46% ABV; the Cask Strength releases are separate limited bottlings at around 58% ABV.
How peaty is Kilchoman Machir Bay?
The barley is peated to 50 ppm — full Islay weight — but the bourbon-led casks keep the smoke bright and maritime rather than dark and medicinal.
Where is Kilchoman distilled?
At Rockside Farm on Islay's west coast, near the Machir Bay beach it is named for — a farm distillery founded in 2005 that grows, malts, distils, matures and bottles on site.
Islay's flagship farm malt — order Kilchoman Machir Bay online from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.