I was wrong -- apparently Kilchoman is a newer distillery than Isle of Arran Distillery, having started distilling Islay whisky in 2005!
Apparently they've already released some 3-year-old. It appears I may have missed the possibility of getting my hands on a bottle of their very first release; apparently it was not sold in the U.S. A bottle of their second release in Fall of 2009 is available on eBay, but at $150, I'm probably going to have to let that one go by. There does seem to be a Spring 2010 3rd release -- but is anyone importing it? The distillery itself does not list an American distributor. The Whisky Vault wants 48.95 pounds sterling to deliver a bottle to the US -- that's more than the whisky itself, which is 48 pounds!
There is apparently also some "new spirt" available -- although that may be more a novelty or collector's item than something to sip and enjoy.
Why didn't anyone tell me? It's the first new distillery on Islay in 125 years. I am eagerly awaiting a taste!
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I believe there's an even younger distillery in Scotland, Abhainn Dearg on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides.
In regards to Kilchoman, they have just announced a distributor for the US, supply should start later in the year. You should be able to find details in the news section of the Kilchoman distillery website. Oh, and it is indeed very nice. I had a dram or two of the Spring 2010 release a few days ago.
Went to a single malt tasting here in Sacramento a couple of weeks ago. The surprise special guest: Anthony Wills, who started up Kilchoman! They are in the process of securing US distribution and hope to have their 3 yr old here by fall. They are growing their own barley, so the entire operation is self contained. He brought along their 2009 three year old for a taste. Not bad! Buttery aroma with a sweet, fruity flavor. The bottlings should be magnificent in five years. Their distillery is at Rockside Farm in Bruichladdich on Islay.
Thanks for the comments, both of you. It warms my heart to hear that new distilleries are opening, especially if they are independently owned. I look forward to visiting them someday. So few bottlings to taste, so much time! Wait... reverse that...
The Abhainn Dearg site says "It has been nearly one hundred and seventy years since the last legal bottle of whisky was produced in the Outer Hebrides." Wow!
I looked at the Kilchoman news page but was not able to find any information about American distribution yet.
Hmmm -- while the distillery won't ship regular-sized bottles to the U.S., it seems they may ship miniatures. Unfortunately their server for completing checkout seems to be down at the moment, but I'll try later.
Strange, I had expected that Kilchoman distillery would post their own press releases on their own site as well. Anyway, pulled out a link which has the information:
Kilchoman whisky, The U.S., this September
I was wrong (and their FAQ was wrong too). The Kilchoman distillery shop won't ship miniatures either. I guess I really will have to wait until they can import it legally! Sigh.
FYI, Kilchoman apparently lost their kilchoman.com domain and they are now at http://kilchomandistillery.com
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