Catbird - I Think

whoops I am wrong but don't know this guy for sure - update later

Carol Puts The 'Super' on Her Hive

Eastern Towhee - Pipilo erythrophthalmus

the photo was taken through our kitchen window-pane, so a bit soft

© PIWO

A strikingly marked, oversized sparrow of the East, feathered in bold black and warm reddish-browns – if you can get a clear look at it. Eastern Towhees are birds of the undergrowth, where their rummaging makes far more noise than you would expect for their size. Their chewink calls let you know how common they are, but many of your sightings end up mere glimpses through tangles of little stems.

Kilchoman, Machir Bay, 2014 46% Alc/vol Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Kilchoman, Machir Bay  2014 release   46% Alc/vol

NorvellHimself – using Michael Jackson's summary style Guide to Single Malt Scotch:

   House Style –after dinner reminiscing

     COLOUR   - pale, pale gold – pale straw

     NOSE         - lovely mild heather breeze with subtle hints of peat

     BODY        - overtures of spring country-side, rich sweet porridge giving

                          way to fresh mown green hay

     PALATE     - uncloying sweetness, mild peatyness,

     FINISH      - long and smooth for a 46%

.

    

score

88

NorvellHimself’s take:

I like to try new Scotch offerings, but am so mean with giving outlay to money that I agonize each time that I venture into the liquor store.  But this time, after being beguiled by the presentation of the bottle and the packaging, the aftermath is more than pleasing – Kilchoman (kil – ho – mon) is a great flavour treat that surprises me with incredible smoothness combined with continuing different offerings of flavour.  As I jotted it down while sipping:

            Lovely nose, mild heather breeze

            Very smooth for 46% with long lingering finish

            If flavours were colours then this would be a warm pebbly gray with overlays of glistening brown and yellow-orange - and in the real world a pleasant mild sweetness overlaying the essence of Scotch 

            Grows better with each sip – now giving taste to fresh mown green hay

            This has to be at least an 85

            I like heavy peat and this is mildly peaty

            but it demands another bottle which is unusual for mildly peaty whisky

            This is indeed a soul stirring sipping whisky for a nice long evening’s contentment – make

            that an 88

Highly recommend this!!!! 

I have read many reviews with only one bad apple guy - and I think he must have misidentified his whisky - below read a professional review

Kilchoman Machir Bay 2014 – Tasting Review

By Loch Fyne Whiskies News

On the nose is a summery mixture of fruit, heavily leaning towards a more dominant citrus kick. The classic character of Islay peat is also heavily present which balances well with a slight vanilla aroma.

On the palate again those fruits dominate whilst the vanilla deepens bring forward a welcomed sweetness; possibly gifted to the dram by those oloroso sherry butts.

As with the 2012 and the 2013 Machir Bay, the finish is long and lingering; less harsh than the 2013.

Overall the Kilchoman Machir Bay 2014 is another positive step towards something truly remarkable and again displays this small, farm distilleries talent for distilling superb whisky. The 2014, is for me more well balanced and shows more clearly the development of character that has taken place than that of the 2013.

But what is clear, is that the Machir Bay 2014 is a truly sublime dram and is just a glimpse of the superiority we can expect to see from this distillery in coming years.

Tide's In