These two whiskies aren’t technically brand-new—both have been released in previous iterations—but the latest bottlings from Kilchoman and Laws Whiskey House are now available and have evolved since previous releases. Kilchoman is Islay’s newest distillery,* and has been releasing yearly batches of 100% Islay, a whisky made entirely from Islay-grown barley, since 2010. This year’s edition is the oldest yet, aged seven years. Similarly, A.D. Laws Bottled in Bond Secale Straight Rye is on its third edition, with more to come in the future.
*Ardnahoe Distillery is currently being built on Islay, but isn’t yet producing whisky.
Kilchoman 100% Islay 2017 Release
Style: Single malt
Origin: Scotland (Islay)
Age: 7 years
Proof: 50% ABV
Price: $100
Release: June 2017
Availability: 1,260 bottles for the U.S.
Need to know:
This is the newest release of Kilchoman’s 100% Islay expression. The whisky is made of barley that’s grown and malted on Islay, and is then distilled and matured at Kilchoman Distillery.
Whisky Advocate says:
As the oldest version of Kilchoman 100% Islay released to date, this whisky should show similar aromas and flavors to past expressions, but perhaps with more depth.
A.D. Laws Bottled in Bond Secale Straight Rye Whiskey Batch B17
Style: Bottled in bond rye
Origin: Colorado
Age: 4 years
Proof: 50% ABV
Price: $75
Release: June 2017
Availability: 3,600 bottles
Need to know:
This is the latest batch of Laws Whiskey House’s bonded rye whiskey. The whiskey is made at the Colorado distillery from a mashbill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley. Secale is short for secale cereale, the Latin name for rye grain.
Whisky Advocate says:
Many rye lovers are familiar with the 95% rye-5% malted barley mashbill of MGP Distillery, which makes whiskey on an industrial scale. But this rye is made by Laws Whisky House—a very different, smaller distillery—with the same mashbill, so it’s a fun chance to compare similarities and differences.
