Kilchoman Sanaig (2018 Edition)

NOTE: This is an old review, re-posted from my tasting journal after I accidentally deleted it here (oops). Kilchoman Masterclass at The Oak Barrel, Sydney, June 25th 2019: Whisky #2 Nose: You can sense the same distillery character as in Kilchoman's Machir Bay and Islay Barley expressions, but here the cereal and citrus notes are swapped out for deeper stewed fruit aromas and spices. The level of peat is identical to Machir Bay but the cask influence gives this whisky a richer and more full-bodied character. There’s a slight seaweed note but it is dusky and mellow - a gust of beach bonfire smoke carrying a hint of brine and honey-cured bacon. Palate: A measured and full smoky arrival with stewed fruit (prunes, apricots). The distillery’s characteristic spice note is apparent in the development, but it's rounded and mild here with a complex palette of warm spices in evidence. The peat-smoke, which has a very nice leather, chocolate and tobacco quality, is pervasive and the texture is just to the oily side of neutral. Finish: Medium. The palate rolls away smoothly leaving a well-balanced aftertaste with recurring wafts of smoke. Sanaig showcases fragrant peat-smoke, the estery fruitiness of a long fermentation, fresh bourbon barrels and robust oloroso sherry casks and is one of Kilchoman’s best products - arguably the star of their core range. It's very good neat, but just a dash of water does it no harm at all. Unlike the Machir Bay and Islay Barley expressions where water smooths the edges and creates balance, in this case it melds the palate together and makes the whisky "bloom". Interestingly, it is the same new-make as Machir Bay and only differs with regard to the casks used for maturation. In the case of Machir Bay, Kilchoman use 90% ex-bourbon/10% ex-sherry whereas here the combination is 70% ex-sherry/30% ex-bourbon. They also exclusively use wet casks and only do refills once, so the cask influence is always fresh and vigorous. Sanaig is a consistent and well-balanced NAS that was originally only available in France but is now a foundation of the core range. “Very Good” : 86/100 (4 stars)

A delicate, Single Malt Scotch Whisky by Anthony Wills for Kilchoman Distillery in Islay, Scotland. It has an aromatic birth with notes of cut grapes, pineapple, dried fruit, espresso & peat; while a creamy & fresh life adds notes of malted barley, vanilla, stone fruit, figs, raisin, white pepper & white chocolate; that led to a long & smooth death with notes of rancio, peat smoke & salt spray. March / July 2020

The Sanaig was my favorite of three samples from the Flaviar box which included the US small batch and Machir Bay. This one has the most oloroso sherry barrels influence of the three which makes it a little sweeter and more complex. I am not a big peat fan, but compared to the other Islay distilleries, these whiskies are much more tame and subtle on the smokey side. Big plus in my book!

Kind of "medical" smell. Not the desinfection kind, but kind of "harsh medicine". The taste is surprisingly sweet and rich like with rhubarb pie. There is nice tingling afterburn. I can taste bit of "sea" in aftertaste. After a few tastes hints of peat. Overall, the taste is nice, interesting.

Nose: peaty, sulphur, I recognise the Machir Bay notes but more subdued. Smoke, lemon. Brown sugar. Taste: Sweet smokiness, dark fruit notes, rich and full. Medium body. Nice balance between the smoke and the fruity sweetness. Finish: Red fruits, cake, smoke, medium.

4.1 다시 먹어보고 판단해보기 담배재향 스모키함 상큼한 레몬즙 숯불에 산딸기,레몬즙을 훈연시킨 음료같다 퓨전에 비해서 뭔가 다채로운 향신료 느낌은 없었으나 직관적으로 마시기 편하고 맛있다 이걸 업글한 로크곰이 먹고싶어진다