Kilchoman Loch Gorm – 2018 bottling
46% ABV
Oloroso Sherry Casks – European Oak
Loch Gorm range launched 2013
Kilchoman (pronounced kil-ho-man) Islay
Distillery only 13 years old - was the first new Islay distillery for 124 years - one of the smallest distilleries in Scotland.
A small ‘farm distillery’ – back to traditional roots. All the barley is grown on the farm, the adjacent stream provides the source water. Local peat for drying the malt.
Other editions - Machir Bay, Sanaig, 100% Islay, Sauternes Cask Finish, Port Cask Finish,
Loch Gorm is Islay’s biggest freshwater loch with an abundance of wildlife and dark peat coloured waters.
This bottling is a vatting of 19 Oloroso Sherry Butts from three vintages (years) – 2007, 2008, 2011
Distillery Tasting Notes:
Nose: Orange peel, cloves, caramel, mixed spice with waves of fruit cake and citrus
Palate: Balance of spicy richness, cooked fruits, chocolate with layers of brown sugar sweetness and earthy peat smoke
Finish: Mouth-filling peat smoke, lasting tropical sweetness, toffee and rich dried fruit
Whisky Exchange Tasting Notes:
Nose: A barnyard bonfire kicks things off: burning peat and hay, with a touch of well-trodden mud and a hint of distant cowshed. Behind the smoke lies sweet grass and a gentle sea breeze, along with sweet butter and pink shrimp sweets.
Palate: Sweet smoke and gravelly minerality are joined by concentrated grape sweetness: raisin and sultana jam. Light fruit cake with a dusting of spice pops up behind, along with apple jam and dry oaky spice. The fruity notes hold the middle ground.
Finish: Dark chocolate and minerally smoke fade to leave salt and caramel.
Comment: A much more refined dram than some previous Loch Gorms, with well-integrated sherry notes letting the maritime spirit and smoke shine.