Kilchoman Whisky Maury Cask Matured Limited Edition 2026
In March 2026, the Islay distillery Kilchoman released the Kilchoman Maury Cask Matured Limited Edition 2026 – a genuine first and a highlight for Islay whisky enthusiasts.
What makes this bottling special is that it is not merely a short finishing period (secondary maturation), but a full-term maturation. The single malt spent its entire maturation period in casks that had previously held Maury, a naturally sweet French fortified wine.
What is Maury, and why is it so exciting?
Maury is a protected naturally sweet fortified wine (Vin Doux Naturel) from the Roussillon region in southern France, produced primarily from Grenache Noir grapes. In terms of flavour, it is reminiscent of a full-bodied Port, but often offers even more intense dark fruit notes and subtle oxidative spice.
In the world of whisky, Maury casks are extremely rare. According to Kilchoman founder Anthony Wills, these powerful casks can be challenging to work with, but when handled skilfully, they produce exceptionally deep and complex whiskies.
