also read  KINGSBARNS BALCOMIE

KINGSBARNS DOOCOT

Imagine a place where lush green fields meet the salty breeze of the Scottish sea. There, in Kingsbarns, a charming little village in the East Neuk of Fife, lies a distillery like no other. But be warned, this is not just a place where whisky is distilled - no, no! It's also a journey back in time and an adventure worthy of Scottish fairy tales (with a little dram thrown in for good measure).

Legend has it that in 2009, Douglas Clement, then a golf caddie, was standing on the green of the famous ‘Road Hole’ (17th hole of the legendary Saint Andrews), contemplating the horizon, when he had an epiphany!

Why not turn this region - already famous for golf - into a whisky-lover's paradise? With time to raise finance from various associates (both golfers and non-golfers) and government subsidies, he launched his project. And so the idea of the Kingsbarns distillery was born. 

However, it was really after it was bought by the Wemyss family that work really got underway in the spring of 2013. A year and a half later, in November 2014, the old farmhouse transformed into a distillery was ready to shine, and in December the visitor centre opened its doors. The long-awaited moment arrived in March 2015: the first cask of whisky was filled, marking the beginning of their legend.

And what better place to house this daring venture than an old Georgian farmhouse dating back to the 18th century, recognisable by its dovecote and with a spring of pure water 100 m below its foundations? After a restoration as meticulous as the choice of a good single malt, the distillery set about distilling the flowery joy in the bottle.

When you arrive at Kingsbarns, it's impossible not to fall under its spell. The old stone buildings, with their slate roofs, seem to have come straight out of a romantic painting... but make no mistake, inside you'll find modern equipment capable of making any high-tech machine blush.

Ah, copper stills! Made to measure, they look like great metal divas ready to sing whisky arias. Add to that pure water filtered through 300-million-year-old rocks, and you've got a blend as perfect as a hole-in-one on the golf course.

The result? 10 years after its creation, production of 280,000 litres of pure alcohol a year, enough to fill around 45 casks every week. And not just any barrels! 85% of them are bourbon casks, the rest being sherry casks, recarbonised wine casks and even a few daring experiments.

The distillery is owned by the Wemyss family - a name that rhymes with passion for spirits. For decades, the Wemysses have been playing in the big league with their Wemyss Malts business, known for its independent bottlings and bold creations. And because they like to vary the pleasures, they also produce gin under the Darnley's Gin brand. You could say that this family knows how to juggle flavours and sectors.

But that's not all! The Wemyss family, who have been in the region for generations, are also involved in agriculture and the hotel trade. With their unrivalled flair for detail, they create experiences that warm the heart as much as a good whisky.

So, what's coming out of Kingsbarns' prolix stills?

First up, their first fulfilment of Douglas Clement's dream, ‘DREAM TO DRAM’, launched in 2019, with a name as poetic as its taste. This single malt lays the foundations for what will become the distillery's signature: light and fruity. It has conquered palates around the world, winning a gold medal at the World Whisky Awards in 2020. The same year saw the release of ‘BALCOMIE’ (an expression that I introduced here, aged exclusively in oloroso sherry casks, offering rich, spicy notes).

In 2021, the distillery releases ‘BELL ROCK’ in its ‘wiser’ version than the one we're going to taste below.

But wait, there's more! In 2023, Kingsbarns unveiled ‘DOOCOT’ (which I also had the pleasure of introducing to you here), a whisky that promises to turn your taste buds into a dance floor, aged in bourbon and STR (shaved, toasted, re-charred) casks.

That same year, it also launched ‘FALKLAND’, a limited-edition single malt that paid tribute to Falkland Palace, a Renaissance palace in the Scottish Lowlands. It was aged in ex-bourbon casks and STR (shaved, toasted, re-charred) casks of old Portuguese red wine.

Finally, in 2024, the distillery's first peaty whisky will be released: ‘COALTOWN’, which we will be tasting.

The adventure naturally leads us to the two limited productions of DISTILLERY RESERVE that I have chosen to present to you today, which add a dose of mystery and surprise to the world of whisky.

Kingsbarns Distillery Reserve Bourbon STR is a single malt made from locally grown barley. It was launched in 2021 by Isabella Wermyss' team. It is a blend of distillates aged in 60% first fill ex-bourbon casks and 40% first fill STR (Shaved, Toasted, Recharred) casks.

These STR casks, often used for red wine, add rich, complex notes to the whisky. Kingsbarns Distillery Reserve is bottled at a high alcohol content, often around 61.8%, making it a powerful, intense whisky with a light golden colour.

On first contact, the nose invites you into a gourmet world, where gingerbread evokes memories of childhood, while fresh orange zest awakens your spirit, and ginger jam enchants you with its warm, spicy promise.

On the palate, it's like a delicate, balanced dance between sweet orange and melting caramel, linked by a subtle caress of vanilla. The winter spices come in, giving a depth and warmth that wraps around your palate like a cosy blanket.

Finally, as the liquid gently fades, it leaves behind a lingering, long and elegant trail of dried fruit that whispers notes of nostalgia, while a light woody touch closes the ball with finesse and refinement.

This whisky is ideal for lovers of rich, complex single malts, perfect for winter evenings or to accompany a citrus dessert. If you get the chance to taste it, take the time to appreciate its nuances and balance.

Kingsbarns Distillery Reserve Oloroso Sherry Cask is a single malt whisky aged entirely in Oloroso ex-solera sherry casks.

This whisky is a limited edition, bottled at a strength of 58.2% alcohol, making it a robust and complex choice.

With only 3,000 bottles available, it is a rare and sought-after expression. Maturation in Oloroso sherry casks gives this whisky remarkable richness and depth, while respecting the light, elegant character of the distillery.

As you raise the glass to your nose, an olfactory symphony rises up: cinnamon evokes winter evenings by the fireside, raisin bread awakens comforting memories, orange zest brightens the whole with a vivid vivacity, while a subtle touch of cedar adds a bewitching woody depth.

The palate is a veritable firework display. The spices shine through, carrying notes of rich, generous jammy fruit and grilled peaches that reveal an almost caramelised sweetness. The mulled wine spices wrap everything in a comforting warmth, like an embrace in the cold.

The finish is a masterful canvas, long and complex.Dried apricots bring a delicate sweetness, while notes of black forest cake create an irresistible indulgence. As a final touch, fragrant blackberry tea rounds off this experience with elegance and serenity.

Kingsbarns Bell Rock Cask Strength is a single malt bottled at cask strength, with an impressive 61.1% alcohol content. Made from a meticulous blend of 70% Oloroso Sherry casks and 30% first-fill bourbon casks, this whisky reflects all the expertise of the Kingsbarns distillery.

Unchill-filtered and without colouring, it retains all its authenticity and raw character, but is limited to just 3600 bottles in total.

Its name, Bell Rock, evokes a famous Scottish lighthouse, a symbol of strength in the face of storm, and pays homage to the coast of Fife, where the distillery has its roots. A true masterpiece of craftsmanship, each drop of this whisky tells a story of tradition, passion and terroir.

On first contact, the nose opens like an ancient book with golden pages: rich aromas of velvety toffee mingle with the airy sweetness of golden meringue, while toasted almonds add a comforting depth. In the distance, an echo of dried fruit and sweet spices adds a promise of gustatory adventure.

On the palate, it's a spectacular journey. The flavours reveal themselves with intensity: the pecan tart, generous and indulgent, dances with caramelised orchard fruit and fresh pastries that evoke mornings in an artisan bakery. The spices, like shooting stars, light up the whole and warm the palate with an enveloping sweetness.

The long, memorable finish is like a walk on a beach at dusk. It leaves behind a smooth trail of caramel sauce, a subtle touch of vanilla crème brûlée, and a woody hint that evokes a campfire in the distance. It's a symphony that only gently fades away, leaving on the lips the memory of an unforgettable experience.

Kingsbarns Coaltown is the brand's benchmark, distinguished by its unique character.

In fact, it's the only one from the house to be matured exclusively in casks containing peated whisky. With an alcohol content of 46%, it offers a subtle smoky touch that enhances the floral and fruity style emblematic of the Kingsbarns distillery.

Its name, Coaltown, pays homage to the mining village near Wemyss Castle, a place steeped in history and tradition.

Imagine a gentle breeze caressing the green hills of the Lowlands, carrying with it the scent of wild flowers and distant peat.

As you raise the glass to your nose, a delicate symphony emerges: notes of dried bananas and sweet smoke intertwine with the floral freshness of heather. It's like a morning stroll through a field bathed in dew.

On the palate, it's a revelation. An indulgent sweetness of baklava and vanilla cream blossoms, enhanced by bursts of flambéed citrus fruit. Beneath this richness, nuances of tanned wood and subtle smoke add intriguing depth, like a campfire crackling gently in the distance.

The finish is a warm, lingering embrace. It evokes melting salted caramel, slowly fading wood fire embers, and a hint of honeyed chocolate that leaves a bittersweet memory. Each sip is an invitation to explore further, to lose oneself in the infinite nuances of this whisky.

So, are you ready to make a whisky-sticky pilgrimage to Lowland's? You won't regret it... except maybe when the bottle is empty! 

Kingsbarns is not just a distillery: it's a human adventure, a tribute to the Lowlands and a celebration of Scottish craftsmanship. From its modest beginnings in 2012 to its current capacity to fill barrels every week, the distillery embodies a fine balance between passion, precision and pleasure.

All the more reason to raise a glass (or two) and enjoy this delicious whisky (in moderation, of course).

 Slàinte mhath!