Kilchoman Distillery Celebrates 20 Years with Rare First Cask Release

Located on Islay, Kilchoman Distillery will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2025 and will launch its first 20-year-old cask, Cask No.1, as a special commemorative bottling. This distillery, founded by Anthony Wills in 2005 and still adhering to family operation and farm distillation principles, is the first new distillery on Islay in over 124 years.

This 20th-anniversary commemorative bottling will be drawn from Kilchoman's historic Cask No.1, which was first filled on December 14, 2005. To ensure fair participation for all supporters, the distillery has opted for a lottery system instead of direct sales for this rare whisky, giving everyone an equal chance to own this significant release. Founder and Managing Director Anthony Wills stated that direct sales would deter many early supporters, while a lottery allows all fans, whether collectors or investors, an equal opportunity. He hopes the winners will experience immense joy in savoring this spirit, meticulously cared for over 20 years, just as the distillery team does.

Kilchoman is the only distillery on Islay that fully manages the 'barley to bottle' process for its 100% Islay range, with all malting, mashing, distilling, maturation, and bottling taking place on the distillery's family farm. Its annual production has significantly increased from 100,000 liters at its founding to the current 600,000 liters, and barley production has grown from 100 tons per year to 400 tons. Today, the distillery employs 50 people, a notable increase from the initial 5, and its products are exported to over 70 countries worldwide.

Wills reflected, "Twenty years ago, many were skeptical about establishing a new distillery on Islay, but we believed in the potential of reviving the farm distillation tradition. This 20th-anniversary milestone is a testament to the relentless efforts of our entire team, and it is heartwarming to see the next generation of sons driving the brand's growth globally.".

2025-11-19

Source: https://thewhiskeywash.com/whiskey-news/kilchoman-distillery-marks-20-years-on-islay/