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2016 KWM Whisky Calendar Day 2 - Kilchoman Sanaig

Posted on December 8, 2022

Day 2 of Whisky Advent features a new for 2016 expression from the Kilchoman Distillery. Kilchoman was the first new distillery to be built on Islay in more than a century when it opened in 2005. Eleven years on it is about to get company, with a 9th and possibly a 10th distillery set to open in the next few years. The brainchild of Anthony Wills, Kilchoman wanted to be a whisky distillery true to the historical roots of the industry. The distillery presently grows some of its own barley, about 15-20% of its production, which it then malts on site. Kilchoman is one of only 7 distilleries with its own floor maltings.


Kilchoman Sanaig was launched earlier this year and is an expression crafted to fit between the Machir Bay (mostly Ex-Bourbon) and Loch Gorm (Sherry) expressions. Sanaig has prominent sherry notes, but also has an American oak Ex-Bourbon component. Sanaig takes its name from "a small rocky inlet North West of the distillery." Bottled at 46% without added colouring or chill-filtering.



Kilchoman in its own words: "Established in 2005, Kilchoman (pronounced Kil-ho-man) is one of the smallest distilleries in Scotland. Based on a farm on the rugged west coast of Islay, Kilchoman was the first distillery to be built on the island for 125 years. Kilchoman displays all that is great about the grass-roots traditions of Scotch whisky distilling. As well as being one of only a handful of distilleries still practicing floor malting, barley is also grown on the farm, making Kilchoman the only distillery to complete all parts of the whisky making process on site. Kilchoman truly is Islay’s farm distillery - from barley to bottling."

Kilchoman Sanaig - 46% - Created with Sherry Matured and Sherry Finished Kilchoman (so there is some Bourbon too) -

Andrew's Tasting Note

Nose: creamy with leather, clean smoke, doughy notes and chewy malt; drying orange slices, soft vanilla and honeydew melon; hints of dark fruits, Caramilk and medicinal peat;

Palate: big, creamy, medicinal and smoky with loads more chewy malt; some lavender perfume, big honey tones and soft leather; more Caramilk, dark fruits and spices develop with patience; oily and minty with more orange and melon;

Finish: big, coating, oily and fruity with creamy vanilla and medicinal peat smokes;

Comment: like many of its sister expressions this Kilchoman is both bold but elegant, brash but layered and it doesn't disappoint!

Stay tuned tomorrow, for KWM Whisky Calendar Day 3!

This entry was posted in Whisky, KWM Whisky Calendar 2016, Whisky Calendars

 

 

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