Casado Edition

About

Casado means 'married' in Portuguese — a fitting name for this Islay single malt whose character springs from an unconventional union of casks. Anthony Wills founded Kilchoman in 2005, the first distillery built on Islay in over 124 years. Casado marks a new direction: after six years maturing in ex-bourbon casks (peated to around 50 ppm), 38 barrels were selected and 'married' for two years in large Portuguese wine vessels. This pairing yields something unexpected. Smoke remains present but is tempered by red wine cask influence: stone fruits, spice, and hints of apricot and marzipan. On the palate, the whisky feels fuller than its 46% ABV suggests — pepper and malt are supported by summer fruits and strawberries. The finish is saline and mineral, with citrus, currants, and smouldering embers. Casado is no typical Islay smoker. It is instead a deliberate dialogue between two traditions: Kilchoman's peated barley character and the subtle sweetness of Portuguese wine maturation. For those seeking to explore Islay without surrendering entirely to smoke.

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