"This s a very likeable whisky and perfect for beginning to discovering sherry meets Islay"
(Photo from Whiskybase)
Most of you know the story of Kilchoman being a farm distillery that performs the process of whisky making almost completely in house. Their standard yearly expressions include the Machir Bay, Loch Gorm and 100% Islay, which have recently been extended with the Sanaig. After a successful release on for the French market, it has now been added to their world-wide collection. The Sanaig has a more pronounced influence of oloroso sherry casks compared to Machir Bay, but is not fully sherry casks matured like the Loch Gorm, so it stands somewhere in between these two. Named after a small creek near the distillery, it is described by Distillery Manager John MacLellan as “A beautiful marriage of bourbon and sherry maturation balanced with classic Islay peat smoke and light citrus sweetness”.
Nose
We’re on Islay, for sure, bringing a nose with dirty smoke, brine, bonfires, smoked raisins and salty caramel. Salted honey. The sherry is nicely meeting up with the smoke, and forms a very pleasant intertwinement. Underneath that there is a red fruit sweetness and lemon freshness. Smoky raisins. In fact, it reminds me of some of the young Ledaigs I tasted recently.
Taste
The palate brings plums and figs in smoky seawater combined with salty chocolate cake. Then lime-infused chocolate and smoked mackerel. Plum sirup, musky perfume and eucalyptus. Drying finish with hints of leather, pine tree, brine, salt and sherry. Very well composed.
Overall
This new Kilchoman Sang is very likeable and recommended when you are searching for a good integrated peat-sherry combo.
- Review 2017-091
- Single malt
- Kilchoman Distillery
- Kilchoman
- NAS
- Bottled in 2017
- Bourbon casks and Oloroso sherry hogsheads
- Natural colour
- Non chill-filtered
- 46
- Undisclosed number of bottles
- ±50
- Still available
- Whiskybase #94043
What others say
Big thanks to for the sample (part of the Drinks By The Dram Whisky Advent Calendar Tweet Tasting)!
Scores
• these are my personal views, so do not take them too seriously… nothing beats tasting these for yourself •
- Salty chocolate cake
- Smoky raisins
- Smoky seawater