Kilchoman

Kilchoman Distillery was founded in 2005 on Islay’s Rockside Farm — the island’s only single farm single malt distillery. Every stage of production from malting to bottling takes place on-site. Core expressions include Machir Bay (ex-bourbon and Oloroso Sherry, bold peat and fruit), Sanaig (Oloroso-forward, richer), Loch Gorm (Sherry-matured), and 100% Islay (entirely from Kilchoman’s own barley). Annual limited editions and vintage single casks are released regularly.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “single farm single malt” mean at Kilchoman?

Kilchoman grows its own barley at Rockside Farm on Islay, malts it on-site using traditional floor malting, distills, matures, and bottles — all at the same location. This closed-loop production model is exceptionally rare in Scotch whisky; virtually every other distillery sources malted barley from commercial maltings rather than producing it on the same site as distillation. The 100% Islay expression takes this further by using only Kilchoman’s own estate barley, making it one of the purest single-origin malts available anywhere in Scotland.

What is the difference between Machir Bay and Sanaig?

Both are Kilchoman’s core peated expressions but use different cask profiles. Machir Bay is matured primarily in American ex-bourbon barrels with a finishing period in Oloroso Sherry casks — the bourbon maturation gives vanilla and tropical fruit while the Sherry finish adds dark fruit and sweetness over the bold peat. Sanaig reverses the emphasis: the majority is matured in Oloroso Sherry casks rather than just finished in them, producing a richer, darker, more Sherry-dominant character while retaining the signature Kilchoman peat.