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Kilchoman Sanaig

Impressive

6 889

@OdysseusUnboundReview by @OdysseusUnbound

30th Sep 2020

0

Kilchoman Sanaig
  • Nose
    22
  • Taste
    23
  • Finish
    22
  • Balance
    22
  • Overall
    89

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Distribution of ratings for this: brand user

Kilchoman is the youngest operational distillery on Islay (for now). My experience with their offerings isn’t extensive but I’ve liked everything I’ve tried from them. Sanaig is rumoured to be 70-80% ex-sherry casks and 20-30% ex-bourbon casks. I’m always weary of sulphur with sherry casks, but Kilchoman owner Antony Wills is one of the few people in whisky who openly talks about sulphur and the lengths Kilchoman has to go to in order to avoid sulphur taint. Many industry people insist the “sulphur problem” has been solved, but many of us know better. Anyhow....

Tasting Notes

Sampled Sept 3 2020, neat from a Canadian Glencairn

  • Nose: sweet peat smoke, vanilla, raisins, cranberries, walnuts, apples, a little balsamic vinegar
  • Palate: rich, full-bodied, sweet on arrival, with a mineral note developing, slightly briny, vanilla, gentle smoke, walnuts, raisins,
  • Finish: long and lingering, milk chocolate, dates, walnuts, a touch of black pepper, cloves, and cinnamon, apples, with peat smoke returning

Kilchoman continues to impress me. I really loved the single cask (ex-bourbon matured) I reviewed here (91/100). While the Sanaig isn't quite at that level for me, it's still top-notch for a "standard" release. Highly recommended.

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8 comments

@BlueNote
BlueNote commented

@OdysseusUnbound I've had 4 of their offerings and so far I've yet to meet a Kilchoman I didn't like. The Sanaig is one I have yet to try. It's on my list thanks to your usual very useful review.

4 years ago 3Who liked this?

@OdysseusUnbound
OdysseusUnbound commented

@BlueNote I’m hoping to snag a Machir Bay. That one is mostly ex-bourbon casks, and I think I’d like that even more. The single cask I had from Kilchoman was an 11 Year single Cask ex-bourbon and it was right in my wheelhouse. Sort of a cross between Caol Ila and Kilkerran.

4 years ago 1Who liked this?

W
Wierdo commented

@OdysseusUnbound I've not tried Kilchoman yet. Keep meaning to give it a try. Might ask for a bottle for Christmas!

4 years ago 2Who liked this?

@Hewie
Hewie commented

Sounds good. I've had tastes of a couple of different Kilchomans but they haven't really grabbed me (yet). I've got a small share of the Am Burach from a bottle split which I'll be trying soon - hopefully that hits the mark for me.

4 years ago 2Who liked this?

@RianC
RianC commented

@OdysseusUnbound - Nice review. Tried this a while back now at a festival. I liked it, From memory, and thought it married the sherry and peat well.

4 years ago 1Who liked this?

@BlueNote
BlueNote commented

@OdysseusUnbound Yeah, you can't go wrong with the Machir Bay. Watch the Alberta sales.

4 years ago 1Who liked this?

@BlueNote
BlueNote commented

@Wierdo Oh yeah, Christmas. Must start my letter to Santa.

4 years ago 2Who liked this?

@TracerBullet
TracerBullet commented

I also enjoy their 100% Islay releases. At least the few I have gotten to try. Their last club release was one of the best things I have ever tried from them so far. Kicking myself that I did not try and get a bottle. Luckily, a friend of mine did.

4 years ago 1Who liked this?