In 2025, Kilchoman Distillery celebrates its twentieth anniversary with a special collection marking a symbolic milestone: the 20th Anniversary Cask Series. Founded in 2005 by Anthony Wills, Kilchoman was the first distillery to open on the island of Islay in 124 years.

With its foundation, Kilchoman brought back to the island the philosophy of the farm distillery, producing whisky “from barley to bottle” through a process that combines in-house production with carefully selected external sourcing. About one third of the barley used comes from the fields of Rockside Farm, where it is malted and peat-smoked using local peat to around 20 ppm, giving life to the distinctive 100% Islay. The remaining two thirds come from Scottish suppliers chosen for quality and traceability, reaching a higher peat level of around 50 ppm. From cultivation to distillation and bottling, every stage reflects Kilchoman’s artisanal and independent approach: a return to tradition with a modern soul, true to the spirit of the island.

Four expressions for twenty years of history

To celebrate the occasion, the team selected twenty exceptional casks, one for each year of the distillery’s life, divided into four limited releases. Two matured in ex-bourbon casks, two in ex-sherry casks: a balance that reflects Kilchoman’s dual character.

The ex-bourbon editions express the sweeter and more maritime side of the spirit — with notes of citrus, vanilla, honey and a delicate yet persistent peat smoke — while the ex-sherry versions explore darker and richer tones, featuring dried fruits, cocoa, spices and a deep, enveloping smoke.

Ranging between 14 and 18 years old, these editions represent a natural evolution of Kilchoman’s style, maintaining the vibrancy of its youthful spirit while adding complexity and maturity. Each bottling is non chill-filtered and free from added colouring, confirming the distillery’s long-standing commitment to transparency.

The bottles, now available on the Italian market, come in exclusive, meticulously designed packaging created specifically for this series: an aesthetic tribute to twenty years of craftsmanship and authenticity signed by Kilchoman.

A tribute to Islay’s tradition

The 20th Anniversary Cask Series is not just a celebration, but a statement of identity. Over twenty years, Kilchoman has established itself as one of Islay’s most authentic and innovative voices, combining the island’s agricultural soul with a contemporary, independent vision.

“When we founded Kilchoman, our dream was to bring Islay back to its roots: a distillery that grows, distills, and bottles everything on site. Twenty years later, we can proudly say we’ve built something genuine — looking to the future without forgetting where we came from.”
— Anthony Wills, Founder of Kilchoman Distillery