Kilchoman gives away first 20YO whisky

To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Kilchoman Distillery on Islay has launched a prize draw for a unique bottling of single malt from its first-ever cask.

Established in 2005 by Anthony Wills, Kilchoman Distillery is considered the first of the new wave of Scotch distilleries founded in the early 2000s. The single 20-year-old whisky follows the release of four limited edition vattings earlier this year as part of its 20th Anniversary Cask Series. The bottling will be drawn directly from Cask No. 1, the first cask filled at the distillery on 14 December 2005. Wills said: "As we considered how to mark this milestone, it became clear that selling a bottle from Cask No. 1 would put it out of reach for many people who have supported Kilchoman from the beginning. Instead, we decided to offer a bottle as part of a prize draw. "While only one person will ultimately win, it gives everyone an equal chance – not just collectors or investors with deep pockets. Hopefully, the winner will open and enjoy it as it was meant to be." The bottle will be presented in a tactile casing that pays tribute to the whisky-making process. The lid, made from layered textures, symbolises the distillery's organic growth over the years, while the box was crafted using five different production techniques, with paper sourced from another family company, GF Smith. Engraved on Islay, the glass bottle depicts the distillery skyline. Additionally, the owner will receive a handwritten note from Wills. Tickets for the prize draw can now be purchased on the distillery's website, with the closing date set for December, once the cask reaches its 20-year milestone. At The Scotch Whisky Masters 2025, Kilchoman Distillery was recognised with a Master and two Gold medals.