The Kilchoman Distillery was founded in 2005 at the Rochside Farm, not far from Machir Bay on the West coast of the Isle of Islay, in Scotland. The distillery was created by Anthony Wills, a former wine industry professional who wished to found a small-scale, traditional distillery. Subsequently Mark and Rohaise French, of the Rochside Farm, were keen on using local produce, so the idea of establishing an artisan, traditional distillery fitted in perfectly with their ethos.
The farm is entirely self-contained, barley is grown and malted at the distillery, maturations will take place onsite, as will bottling. Its draws its water from a spring on Cnoc Dubh, just above Rochside Farm. The Single Malt will not undergo chill-filtration nor will spirit caramel be added, the standard strength will be at 50% ABV, reduced with Islay water. Distillation commenced in November of 2005 and 80% of the spirit is matured in ex-Bourbon casks, from Buffalo Trace distillery in Kentucky, the remaining spirit will be matured in Oloroso sherry butts from Bodega Miguel Martin in Spain. As well as bourbon and sherry casks, they also fill a number of speciality casks including Sauternes, Red Wine, Rum, Port, Madeira and Cognac casks as well as various secretive experimental casks. The two stills at the Kilchoman whisky distillery proffer a total capacity of just 90,000 litres per annum.
